The Minister shares pleasantries with some Airline officials
Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister of Aviation, has disclosed that Ghana has been selected to host the 12th edition of the Routes Africa Conference and Exhibition.
Addressing journalists at Movenpick Hotel in Accra on Friday, Ms Dapaah stated that the Ghana Airport Company limited (GACL) would be the main organizer of the conference, which is expected to be held in Accra from July 16-18, 2018.
According to her, the choice of Ghana for the conference is not only timely but strategic, adding that Ghana, which will be showcased to the world, is taking steps to make its airspace world class.
“It is also a demonstration of the confidence reposed in Ghana’s aviation industry, coupled with government’s determination to work towards improving infrastructure development within the Kotoka International Airport,” she remarked.
She explained that Routes Africa is the longest-standing and most established Aviation Forum, which brings together leading airlines, airports and tourism authorities onto a common platform to discuss a number of issues.
“Routes Africa, as a body to provide an effective platform for decision-makers to update their industry knowledge, recognizes the importance of enhancing intra-African air connectivity to stimulate economic development across the region by uniting the region’s key decision-making institutions and stakeholders on a common platform,” she added.
Ms Dapaah also said that plans are far advanced to identify a partner to establish a home-based carrier.
According to her, the carrier is expected to contribute about USD 72.5 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa.
She also disclosed that the new terminal 3 project, which is expected to be commissioned later, has the capacity to accommodate five million passengers a year and process 1,200 passengers an hour.
John Attafuah, Managing Director (MD) of GACL, reiterated the commitment of his outfit to mobilizing the needed resources to deliver a spectacular event.
The MD noted that GACL’s association with Routes Africa dates back about 15 years ago when the company (GACL) participated in several route conferences abroad.
The opportunity to host this august event is another unique platform to showcase the potentials of Ghana’s aviation industry and signal to influential aviation stakeholders that Kotoka International Airport is indeed the port of choice for safe, fast and efficient facilitation of passengers, aircraft and cargo,” he opined.
By Solomon Ofori