Contrary to a denial by the Ministry of Aviation that the Government of Ghana (GoG) has not hatched any plan to privatize or sell the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to any foreign investor, this reporter can authoritatively confirm that the buyer of the national asset has been in Ghana over the past five days to inspect the facility and also seal the Sale Agreement.
It would be recalled that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Caucus in Parliament and the Former President, John Dramani Mahama, made public plans by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government to sell the KIA to Tav Airport Holding Company Limited, a private Turkish airport operator.
The NDC Minority Caucus insisted that the Aviation Ministry received the proposal “to help bring about the physical development of the airport enclave.”
But a press statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Aviation denied any such plans and noted that the Sector Minister has not yet been advised on what the best available options are with regards to the ownership of KIA.
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“A broader consultation with key stakeholders in the sector will be part of the internal considerations in due course if an appropriate option is agreed,” the statement noted.
“The general public is hereby entreated to disregard news of privatization or sale of the Kotoka International Airport,” it further added.
Meanwhile, on August 12, 2020, a five-member delegation from Tav Airport Holding Company Limited, a private Turkish airport operator landed on the soils of Ghana to inspect facilities at the KIA including the newly built Terminal Three.
The delegation flew to Ghana through a private jet with registration number: TC-KAM (ENB135B3 LEGACY B50). The plane left LTBA (ATATURK Airport).
Questions on the lips of many Ghanaians especially the staff of the KIA which is begging for answers from the government and the Aviation ministry is, why is the sale of the national asset being done in secrecy?
A spokesperson of the ministry has stated that “the participation of the private sector will bring about the needed equity investment for the transformation of the sector thereby making the KIA achieve competitive status within the West African Sub-Region and the continent as a whole.”
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Read the entire statement below:
The Ministry of Aviation has taken note that initial internal considerations of a possible management model for the Kotoka International Airport to enhance its value, performance, and international competitiveness has been leaked and misconstrued to the general public as a plan by the Government of Ghana to privatize or sell the Kotoka International Airport.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Aviation wishes to inform the general public that:
The Ministry has no plans whatsoever to recommend, neither does the Government of Ghana have plans to approve privatization or sale of the Kotoka International Airport.
Cabinet has not been requested, neither has the Ministry of Aviation submitted a Cabinet Memorandum recommending approval for the privatization or sale of the Kotoka International Airport.
What indeed the Ministry is considering is an offer to partner with Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to provide management services to manage the financial and operational functions for the development of the GACL.
The Honorable Sector Minister is yet to be appropriately advised on the best available options in response to the offer being made, after which Cabinet may be requested to approve a recommended option if one is agreed upon.
Broader consultation with key stakeholders in the sector will be part of the internal considerations in due course if an appropriate option is agreed
The general public is hereby entreated to disregard news of privatization or sale of the Kotoka International Airport.
The Ministry is committed to protecting the assets of all institutions under its purview including the GACL whilst enhancing their value for the betterment of the aviation sector.
The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the best practices for the management of the Industry will be the focus of all its decisions and actions at all times.
By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH