Ghana ratifies air services agreements with six countries
With Parliament’s approval, designated airlines from Ghana and the partner countries can operate under a formal legal framework for commercial air services.
Ghana has opened the door for expanded air links with six countries after Parliament ratified a set of bilateral air services agreements covering passenger and cargo operations.
The agreements involve Benin, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Guyana, Luxembourg and Qatar.
They were signed between 2018 and 2023 but required parliamentary ratification to take effect.
With Parliament’s approval, designated airlines from Ghana and the partner countries can operate under a formal legal framework for commercial air services.
The arrangements cover issues such as market access, passenger movement, cargo transport, and the embarkation and disembarkation of travellers and goods.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe presented the agreements to Parliament for ratification.
Government expects the deals to improve Ghana’s international air connectivity and create the basis for possible direct flights between Ghana and the six countries.
The agreements are also expected to support trade, tourism, cargo movement and wider economic cooperation.
For passengers, direct routes could reduce travel time and ease connections.
For businesses, improved cargo services could strengthen movement of goods between Ghana and the partner states.
During debate on the motion, Takoradi MP Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah said Ghana should look beyond international routes and pay greater attention to domestic aviation.
He said the country could learn from places such as Mauritius, where smaller aircraft are used to connect visitors to tourist destinations that are difficult to reach by road.
According to him, similar services in Ghana could make remote tourism sites more accessible and help grow the sector.
Mr Darko-Mensah also urged government to explore opportunities in charter flight services.
He said Ghana has not fully developed that segment of the aviation industry, despite its revenue potential.
The ratified agreements take effect immediately.
They are expected to strengthen Ghana’s aviation sector and deepen commercial relations with the six partner countries.
