A Deputy Minister for Transport hon. Hassan Tampuli has charged the Governing Board of Directors of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to plan, develop, manage and maintain all airports and aerodromes to making Kotoka International Airport as the destination of choice for travelers.
Hon Tampuli said Government had undertaken major infrastructural facelifts at various airports in the past four years with plans to build new airports, this, he added, would go a long way to opening up the country for efficient movement of people, goods, and services and promote tourism.
The Deputy Minister challenged the Board to employ newer ways of doing business through expansion of landslide activities and promotion of non-aeronautical investments which offers opportunity to raise revenue.
“For the country to lead in the industry amongst its peers within West Africa as it envisages, we need to be innovative in attracting investment, both infrastructure and services. I therefore charge you to be committed to the call of the President of making Ghana the Aviation hub of the West African Region”, he noted.
The Deputy Minister made this statement at the inauguration of the seven-member Board of Directors of the GACL.
He said, the Ministry would provide the needed support and guidelines to enable the Board deliver on their task. He further urged them to remember that, the Board under the governance framework, was under the supervision of the Ministry and should not deal with any other higher authorities without consulting with the Ministry first.
Hon. Tampuli stated, the Ministry was always available to render all the necessary supportto the Board, thus the they should not hesitate to call on the Ministry when the need arises.
He implored the Board not to go and struggle over positions with the managements of the airports, but rather work hand in hand with management and staff to propel the developments of the airports
The Chairman for the Board of Directors, Mr. Paul Adom Otchere noted, the board will ensure that they get GACL back on its feet due to the effect of the covid-19 pandemic and ensure better working relationship between management and staff.