The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe has charged a 10 member task force mandated to oversee the establishment of a new national airline to develop an operational framework aimed at ensuring its sustainability.

The Task Force, which is chaired by a former Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Charles Asare is also expected to coordinate engagements with potential strategic and technical partners to ensure Ghana remains competitive in the aviation industry.

“The president on behalf of the people has entrusted them with the establishment of the national airline.  It is going to be our pride and our hope. It will take advantage of the already existing facilities so we can compete”, Mr. Nikpe said.

On the mandate of the Task Force, the Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for the Saboba Constituency said that “they will look at how the airline will work to function effectively”.

“Already there are some players in the aviation sector and we are going to compete with them. I believe in the task force; I believe the model they will present will be good enough to compete in the aviation industry.” He emphasized.

He expressed optimism that a national airline will be profitable despite concerns about its success.

“If it comes to airlines, you are aware that Ghana Airways was one of the first to fly in the sub-region. We have our own standards; it collapsed and we are working to bring it back.”

Mr. Nikpe stressed that he will do all it takes to ensure the effective running of the airline and protect it from collapsing when it is established.

“We are prepared to do things differently; we want to engage in this enterprise and engage in it very well with all the business sense that will guide us in establishing a functional national airline”, he said.