The aviation sector is critical to the success of free trade in Africa – Iain Walker

Company News of Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-07-09

The British High Commissioner in Accra, Iain Walker, called on Ghana to build a strong aviation infrastructure to take full advantage of the continental and African free trade area agreement.

He added that while AfCFTA offered African countries an excellent opportunity to strengthen their trade, Ghana had the opportunity to make further gains by developing its aviation infrastructure to facilitate transport and connectivity on the continent. .

"The fact that AfCFTA's head office is located in Ghana means that your country has a great advantage to boost trade, but for most commercial activities to succeed, you need to be connected." did he declare.

Mr Walker said this during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Aviation, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, to Accra yesterday.

The visit aimed to explore ways in which the United Kingdom and Ghana could strengthen collaboration in the aviation sector.

Collaboration

Mr. Walker said it was because of the important role played by the aviation industry in promoting economic development that the United Kingdom was helping Ghana to improve its infrastructure, particularly the expansion projects at Kumasi Airports. and Tamale.

"The new building of Kumasi Airport Terminal is funded by the UK Export Finance Government, and we are doing it because it is necessary to increase the capacity of these facilities. They offer the opportunity to move goods more quickly to the markets and also stimulate economic activities.

"In Tamale, we want to work with the government to expand the capacity of the airport for similar reasons, because the agricultural sector offers greater opportunities that can be exploited," he added.

He added that the United Kingdom is determined to ensure that its economic relations with Ghana are not disappointed by complacency.

"A relationship of sufficiency or taking for granted will not help us, so we will focus on a mutually beneficial relationship," he said.

Ghana / United Kingdom relations

Mr Adda described the bilateral relations between Ghana and the United Kingdom as cordial and mutually beneficial, adding that the time has come to strengthen ties, particularly in the aviation sector.

According to him, the aviation sector was one of the main priorities of the government. This is why a number of initiatives have been taken to strengthen human resources and infrastructure in the sector.

"It is for the transformation of the aviation sector that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo created the Ministry of Aviation.

We have a future to collaborate further to achieve this vision, and since you represent the UK and myself the Ministry of Aviation, we can look at plans to boost the sector, "he said. added.

He asked Walker to convince British Airways to improve the quality of service provided to pbadengers, especially those traveling on the UK-Ghana route, and to ensure that only quality aircraft are deployed on this route.

Context

In February this year, the UK government announced funding to undertake three major infrastructure projects in Ghana.

These include Tamale Airport, Bekwai Hospital and Kumasi Central Market, which will undergo major expansion, construction or installation of essential equipment under the Partnership Agreement. concluded between the British Government and the British Government.

The British Minister for Africa, Harriet Baldwin, announced it at the end of the second meeting of the United Kingdom-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC), held in London (United Kingdom) on Tuesday. February 2019.