The Government of Ghana is in the process of establishing a national airline, President John Dramani Mahama has revealed.
Speaking at a credential ceremony at the Presidency in Accra, where he received letters of credence from the UAE Ambassador to Ghana, Dr. Abdulla Muraid Sulaiman Mohammed Al Mandoos, President Mahama hinted at potential partnerships with countries that have expertise in aviation, including the UAE.
“When we get to that stage, I know that apart from Emirates, like Dubai and several other companies, if they’re interested in partnering with Ghana to take advantage of Ghana as an aviation hub, we’ll be willing to work with the UAE,” he stated.
The President noted Ghana’s growing aviation ties with the UAE, recalling how flights between Accra and Dubai have significantly increased over time.
President Mahama encouraged more Gulf investments in Ghana, citing existing partnerships such as the Takoradi Thermal Power Plant (TICO), which was developed through cooperation between Abu Dhabi and the Volta River Authority. He also highlighted discussions to expand collaboration across various sectors.
Gold trade was a key topic, with the President announcing plans to formalize gold exports through the establishment of a Gold Board. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and strengthen trade relations with friendly nations like the UAE.
To regulate labour migration, the Ghanaian government is working on a Ghana Labour Export Programme, which will train young professionals in fields like electrical engineering, carpentry, masonry, and construction. The goal is to ensure that Ghanaian workers in the UAE are legally protected under formal agreements.
“Sometimes they run into trouble when they go to the UAE. So, we want to see how we can formalize that agreement so that when they go, they go legally and have all the protection they need from the UAE government,” President Mahama explained.
Ghana has also received a $30 million climate change fund from the UAE to support affected communities. President Mahama acknowledged Africa’s minimal contribution to climate change but emphasized that the continent faces severe consequences from its effects.
On security, he stressed the need for international cooperation against terrorism, noting that terrorist activities in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger pose a growing threat to West Africa. He linked the rise of extremism in the region to the collapse of Libya’s Gaddafi regime and the migration of ISIS fighters into the Sahel.
Dr. Abdulla Muraid Sulaiman Mohammed Al Mandoos, the UAE Ambassador to Ghana, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations. The UAE and Ghana have maintained strong diplomatic ties, with Ghana establishing a consulate in 2011 and an embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2017.
Both nations expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in trade, security, and climate resilience.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
