Executives captured in a photo
On April 9, 2021, Africa World Airline (AWA) conducted the first test flight to the newly completed Ho Airport. During the celebrations to mark the occasion, Togbe Afede XIV, Founder and Co-Chairman of AWA, unveiled plans to establish a pilot training school in the Volta Region capital, Ho.
According to him, the establishment of the school is intended to expand the economic potential of the region. He noted that the airport already offers great opportunities – among other things, it can serve as a springboard for the development of the tourism sector and other economically important sectors of the region.
Fortunately, in February 2024, after a long delay, Togbe Afede XIV, together with representatives of Ghana Airports Company Ltd (GACL) and Africa World Airline (AWA), inspected possible sites for the establishment of a flight academy at Ho Airport. The GACL team was led by its Managing Director, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare.
Following this visit, a report by the Auditor General revealed huge financial losses by the country’s five regional airports. The report revealed that these airports generated a total revenue of GH¢13.13 million in 2022, while expenses stood at GH¢39.14 million.
This represents a deficit of about GH¢26.01 million. While the other airports generated some revenue, Ho Airport generated no revenue but incurred expenditure of GH¢1.38 million in 2022. This has sparked a discussion on reassessing strategies to optimize regional airport development and maximize economic benefits.
Auditor General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu cited under-utilisation of the airport’s leased facilities or space for non-aeronautical revenue as one of the many reasons for this.
The report warned that underutilisation of airport facilities, such as at Ho Airport, could lead to deterioration of infrastructure. To address these problems, the Auditor General recommended that GACL management encourage existing and potential domestic airlines to use the airports through possible incentives.
In addition, the GACL Commercial Services Department was advised to identify potential concessionaires who could occupy unused land to generate additional revenue through rent and royalties.
During the February 2024 visit, Togbe spoke at length about plans to also set up an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Ho Airport, “which would mean that instead of sending the aircraft abroad for the various checks, they can come to Ho for basic maintenance.” He added: “It would also mean that we could attract aircraft from other countries to come here for maintenance. This has a huge impact. Apart from creating jobs for the people of Ghana, we are talking about opportunities for more Ghanaians to be trained as aircraft maintenance technicians.”
They toured all available sites at the airport and held discussions with various stakeholders, including representatives of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Volta Region Lands Commission. Nana Afriyie-Opare told journalists that the dream of the flying school, if realized, would be a centre of excellence with very good prospects of boosting the local economy.
“We are working with AWA to develop a pilot training academy and an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility that will create jobs and stimulate economic activity in the region,” she said.
Togbe Afede praised GACL for its willingness to provide land for the project, which will also train aircraft engineers and other professionals for the aviation industry. “If aspiring pilots and engineers come here and we can maintain the aircraft here instead of going to South Africa for that, Ghana’s aviation sector will be taken to a new level,” he said.
Speaking to the media, the GACL Managing Director promised that land for the project would be allocated within two weeks, adding that Togbe had already paid the required 30% down payment for the land since June 2023.
It has now been more than six (6) months and everyone is wondering why the Ghana Airport Company Limited is delaying the release of land for the commencement of projects that are expected to create jobs while reducing losses cited by the Auditor General.
