Aviation Minister, Joseph Adda says government is currently working on expanding the infrastructural part of the airport and not sell it to any private entity.
He explained that, government will partner with the private sector investor to manage the Kotoka International Airport.
“We are not selling or privatizing the airport. We do not have the management contract for any company to take over the airport. What we are working on is to ensure that we expand infrastructure to create more opportunities for Ghanaians. But the concern we have is that, we have to service the debt for this terminal. The Minister of Finance cannot solely carry the burden”.
Joseph Adda further noted that feasibility studies have been undertaken and also government has done due diligence by sifting through prospective investors who have expressed interest in partnering government in putting up the much-talked about Cape Coast airport.
“We have done some feasibility studies on the project. We have had a number of interested partners who have come to discuss with us. We are also looking at other parts of the country, so we are negotiating with them, so we can see what they can do for us”.
The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) resumed its operation on September 1, 2020, after a travel ban in a bid to forestall the import of the coronavirus into the country. Managers of the facility say they expect to receive about 1,200 passengers daily during its peak period.
The Aviation Minister stated that safety protocol measures have been put in place at the airport, and was optimistic the installation of COVID-19 testing devices at the Kotoka International Airport will ease pressure on the facility.
“We have been doing this in adherence to these protocols including the disinfection of the Airport. Sticking with the protocols therefore, will not be new to us on the reopening of the Airport. It is safe to say that it is the increase in the number of passengers that could pose a challenge and that is why the Ghana Airport Company supported by the Ghana Port Health Authority has put in place the special measures”.
Commenting on revenue losses and ensuing job cuts in the aviation sector, Joseph Adda says the Ghana Airports Company managed to retain its staff.
“While we in the aviation sector, have played our part to support the government’s efforts in this regard, such as reducing royalties as well as landing charges of aircrafts coming into the country, we have also managed to keep our staff in their jobs due partly to our own efforts as well as the package put together to support our staff”.
