The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has dismissed rumours surrounding a viral aircraft branded as Air Ghana Cargo, clarifying that the aircraft is privately owned and has no connection to government operations.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Minister explained that the aircraft forms part of an independent private-sector aviation initiative and is not a state-owned asset.
Clarification on Air Ghana Cargo
The clarification followed questions from the Deputy Ranking Member of the Committee, Davis Opoku Ansah, who sought official clarification over widely circulated images of the cargo airline that had sparked public speculation about possible government involvement.
In response, Mr Nikpe stressed that the aircraft belongs solely to Air Ghana, an independently owned cargo transport company financed by private investors.
According to the Minister, the government holds no ownership stake or operational control over the company’s activities.
Concerns Over Ghana Airways Legacy
Discussions during the committee sitting also shifted to government plans to re-establish a national airline.
The Ranking Member of the PAC, Samuel Atta Mills, reflected on the operational difficulties that plagued the defunct Ghana Airways, particularly chronic flight delays and poor scheduling.
Mr Atta Mills noted that the airline’s persistent punctuality challenges negatively affected passengers, especially business travellers relying on international connecting flights.
Responding to the concerns, the Transport Minister acknowledged that poor operational management significantly damaged the country’s aviation reputation and said valuable lessons had been learnt from the collapse of previous national airline ventures.
“This is not a good compliment, and there are lessons we have learned as a people,” Mr Nikpe stated.
Government Plans Minority Stake in New National Carrier
To avoid the political interference and operational inefficiencies associated with Ghana Airways, the Minister disclosed that the government intends to adopt a minority-shareholding model for the proposed new national carrier.
According to him, the airline will be largely driven by the private sector, with limited government involvement in its management and operations.
“We only hold a small share, and then it will be a private-sector-led activity,” he said, adding that the new strategy is intended to ensure efficiency, discipline, and improved time management.
Mr Nikpe further assured the committee that the Ministry of Transport is collaborating with international aviation stakeholders, regulators, and private investors to establish strict operational standards and improve efficiency within Ghana’s aviation sector.
