Ghana Airports Company Limited, GACL, has announced a new cargo airline at Accra International Airport as part of efforts to strengthen the air transport sector.
In a post on its official Facebook page, the company said it was “excited to welcome Air Ghana’s third cargo carrier to Ghana”, describing the move as a boost to its long-term plan to make Accra a competitive cargo and logistics centre for West Africa.
The expansion comes amid renewed efforts to grow Ghana’s presence in air transport following the collapse of the country’s former national airline., Ghana Airways.
The cargo aircraft named Air Ghana Boeing 737-400 freighter is expected to boost cargo connectivity between Ghana and other countries, enabling faster and more efficient transportation of goods.
Ghana Airways, established in 1958 in partnership with the British Overseas Airways Corporation, ceased operations in 2004 and was formally liquidated a year later after debts rose beyond 200 million dollars.
Investigations into its failure pointed to years of weak management, political interference and mounting financial losses. A 2003 forensic audit cited widespread mismanagement and misuse of funds, while operational challenges, including poor maintenance and overstaffing, further weakened the airline.
By the early 2000s, the company was struggling to meet its obligations, with one of its aircraft seized in London over unpaid debts. Attempts to revive the airline through partnerships failed to restore viability.
A successor, Ghana International Airlines, launched in 2005, also failed to survive and shut down in 2010.
The arrival of the new cargo carrier is seen as part of a broader strategy to rebuild Ghana’s aviation sector, with a focus on freight and logistics rather than passenger services.
Officials say expanding cargo capacity could help position Accra as a key gateway for trade in the subregion.
