Parliament has ratified bilateral Air Services Agreements between the Government of Ghana and six countries to strengthen air transport cooperation and improve international connectivity.
The countries include; Benin, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Guyana, Luxembourg and Qatar.
The agreements establish a comprehensive framework to regulate and promote air services between Ghana and the respective partner countries while ensuring fair and balanced operating conditions for designated airlines.
According to the agreements, both Ghana and its partner states will retain their sovereign rights while allowing approved airlines to operate agreed air services under transparent and mutually beneficial terms.
The agreements also include provisions for resolving disputes, ensuring compliance with the domestic laws of each country and safeguarding the financial sustainability of international air transport operations.
Government expects the agreements to enhance trade, tourism, investment and business relations by improving air connectivity and facilitating the efficient movement of passengers and cargo between Ghana and the six countries.
Commenting on the bilateral agreement on the floor of Parliament, July 1, the Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah noted that Ghana could draw lessons from countries such as Mauritius, where smaller aircraft are used to connect tourists to destinations that are difficult to access by road.
“Mauritius, for instance, has smaller planes that can do short distances to tourism sites. We don’t seem to have them in Ghana. If we have them, a lot of the hard-to-reach areas in Ghana can be reached to boost tourism in this country,” he said.
The ratification forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to expand its aviation network, strengthen bilateral relations and position the country as a key aviation hub in the West African sub-region.
Find below the full report on the agreement
