The Transport Minister, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has announced that the government is formalising historical Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) to establish the legal framework required to transform Ghana into West Africa’s primary aviation hub.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Press Corps after Parliament moved to ratify the treaties, the Saboba MP noted that whilst numerous BASAs were signed decades ago, they had never been officially ratified by the legislature.
“Today basically we came to parliament to rectify a lot of the agreements that have been signed over the years some dating to nineteen eighty-eight of the Bilateral Air Service between the Republic of Ghana and other countries that are desirous to do air service within our air space and our airports,” he said.
Hon. Nikpe emphasised that commercial carriers demand definitive legal pacts before utilising Ghanaian airspace and airports.
“You understand that before any commercial airline will use your air space they will want to find out how if there are issues those issues will be addressed. They will want to find out whether the country they are operating with has any agreement with the operating country or the countries they are operating from,” he stated.
He further explained that a robust legal structure is vital to oversee flight operations and mediate any potential disputes.
“Ghana as a country we are positioning ourselves to become the hub to aviation within the West Africa sub region to be able to facilitate travels, to be able to facilitate trades, to be able to facilitate tourism and commerce. And it is only proper that we have a kind of aviation framework a legal framework that will seek to help all airlines that are operating within our air space on how to address any issues that will come out within the operations,” the Minister said.
According to Hon. Nikpe, this legislative exercise ensures Ghana aligns with international aviation standards.
“So basically we are just here to ensure that we are compliant with International Aviation Authority on all the agreements that we have signed over the years,” he added.
He maintained that the parliamentary approvals grant Ghana immediate access to the airspace and airports of partner nations, eliminating the need for repetitive negotiations.
“Because this will now allow us to use the various air space of the countries that are signing the agreement with,” he stated.
Highlighting Benin as the initial treaty to be formalised, the Minister clarified that without these foundational pacts, carriers are forced to seek ad hoc permissions for every flight.
“For instance we and Benin, that was the first one we rectified. We can now have the agreement that we can use the air space, we can fly with the number if we have a national airline our national airline can be designated to fly and use their airport, use their air space without any trouble,” he said.
“Ordinarily you have to have an agreement with the connecting country before you can use their air space. And even if you are flying over a country you need permission to be able to fly over these countries.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
