President Akufo-Addo has hinted on the level of contribution some 38 airlines operating in Ghana which connect directly to 30 different destinations around the globe added to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
According to President Akufo-Addo, from the 38 airlines are operating in Ghana, 1.3 million tourists visited Ghana in 2017, and the industry contributed $2.7 billion to our GDP indicating a slight decline in 2018, which saw the tourism industry contributing $2.5 billion to Ghana’s GDP.
Speaking at the opening of the 28th Airport Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly Conference and Exhibition, held in Accra, President Akufo-Addo added that, the importance of the aviation industry in making the future ours is critical. According to the 2017 figures released by the International Air Travel Association (IATA), the global air transport industry supports 62.7 million jobs worldwide.
Aviation’s global economic impact amounts in value to $2.7 trillion, with 3.5% of global GDP supported by aviation.
Every day, 9.8 million passengers take to the air with one hundred and four thousand (104,000) flights, and some $18.6 billion worth of goods are carried. IATA notes that air traffic, globally, presently grows at 5% annually, and is projected to grow at 5.6% per year over the next twenty (20) years.
It is estimated that the air transport industry in Africa, in 2017, supported some 6.2 million jobs, and contributed US$55.8 billion to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a 4.5% growth rate. According to IATA, Africa, by 2037, and at an annual growth rate of 4.6%, will have a total market of 334 million passengers. The President stated.
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He continued that, 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.
President Akufo-Addo further stated that, 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.
