President Akufo-Addo says digital innovation and automation are key to the development of the Aviation Industry in Africa.
Speaking at the at the opening of the 28th Airport Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly Conference And Exhibition, On Tuesday, 15th October 2019, at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra, President Akufo-Addo said "The application of digital innovation and automation is a priority, if airports in Africa are to compete with their counterparts across the world."
According to him, as recently pointed out at a recent SMART Airports conference in Singapore, free, fast internet, for example, has now become a must-have in airports across the world, if your airport is to be described as SMART. From automated check-ins, passport control and boarding, to reducing the amounts of time spent going through security, airports around the world are finding ways to make the time spent there more pleasurable.
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The President also highlighted some progress made in Ghana's Aviation sector.
"In order to maximise the full potential and benefits of the aviation industry, upon my assumption of office in January 2017, I re-established the Aviation Ministry to develop the Ghanaian aviation industry, and make it competitive in West Africa, with the ultimate goal of making Ghana an aviation hub within the Region and beyond. Completed and ongoing aviation projects in all parts of the country re-assure me that this vision will soon be realised. We have started the construction of new aprons at the northern end of the Kotoka International Airport; the construction of new passenger Terminal Buildings for the Kumasi International Airport and the Tamale International Airport, alternatives to the Kotoka International Airport; and the rehabilitation of the Sunyani Airport.
Ghana’s aviation industry has seen considerable growth in recent years, made possible by the continuous creation of a stable political, social, and economic climate. We have liberalised the regulatory framework in which the industry operates. In addition to this, we have abolished the 17.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on domestic airfares, which has led to almost a doubling of domestic passenger traffic. International passenger numbers have grown by 6.7% as at September 2019, compared to 2018. Air freight movement has also increased by 5.9%. Currently, thirty-eight (38) airlines are operating in Ghana, and they connect directly to 30 different destinations around the globe. It is, thus, not a surprise that 1.3 million tourists visited Ghana in 2017, and the industry contributed $2.7 billion to our GDP. There was a slight decline in 2018, with an industry contribution of $2.5 billion to our GDP.
The Ministry of Aviation has also initiated plans for a dedicated programme, dubbed “Aviation-Driven Developmentsâ€, that seeks to use aviation as a driver of socio-economic transformation. It will see the construction of a Maintenance, Overhaul and Repairs Facility at the Tamale International Airport; construction of cargo facility; development of aviation training organisation for pilot training; and construction of state-of-the-art control tower at the Kotoka International Airport, amongst others. Our airports will continue to undergo systematic facelifts through infrastructure rehabilitations. We also intend to continue to open up the country by constructing additional airports to serve as feeders to Kotoka International Airport."
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Read the full speech here