Amidst the sharp rebuttal of the media report that the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is to be given to a private foreign entity to operate, Ghana’s Minister for Aviation, Kofi Adda while claiming that he is unaware of any such plan says given the airport company has not paid dividend to the state in the last 5 years, he the Minister is open to an arrangement which can enhance the airport’s value enabling it pays dividend.
Speaking at the 3rd Aviation Ghana Breakfast Meeting in Accra aviation industry stakeholders, Kofi Adda submitted:
“I haven’t seen anything credible on that. I’d like to get something credible from whoever is putting this out and they have to explain to me what they mean by privatisation or selling. I don’t know where it’s come from; I don’t know who is out there. I have even heard that it’s been said that they are selling Ghana Airport, I don’t know who you’re going to sell it to, who’s going to buy, for how much, I’m surprised at them.”
He assured the government would do the needful to make the Airports Company which runs KIA a viable business outfit that contributes to the development of the country in terms of revenue mobilisation and payments of appropriate dividends.
Reports that a cabinet memo had leaked showing TAV Airport Holding Company Limited being pinned down by the government to run the “day-to-day operations, including facility maintenance and fees collection,” gained extensive circulation online especially when the memo is alleged to be prepared by the Aviation Minister for Cabinet’s consideration.
Among others, the Concession Agreement clause holds: “As payment for their services, the concessionaires receive a percentage of the gross revenues from the operation of the airport but are required to pay the airport owner the greater of this percentage amount or a minimum annual guaranteed amount.”
Meanwhile, the Aviation Minister has denied knowledge of any proposal by his outfit to cede the management of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to a private company.
However, he said his office was open for discussions that will help improve the asset of the country’s premier airport and other state facilities.
“First of all, I have not seen anything credible on the supposed privatisation of KIA, until I see that there is little I can say about it, ”
