Accra, April 3, GNA – Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on Wednesday appealed to operators in Ghana’s aviation industry to bring the growth in the industry to bear on the development oil and gas industry.
He gave the assurance that the Government would continue to play its expected role in the progress and development of the aviation industry towards an overall improvement in the transport sector.
The Vice President made the call when Mr Roberto Gonzalez, President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, led a delegation of Ministers and experts in the industry, to pay a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House in Accra.
The call is on the sidelines of the 23rd Plenary Session of the African Civil Aviation Commission, being hosted by Ghana, a member, in Accra from April 2-5.
The Commission, which comprises 54 African states, is a specialised agency of the African Union responsible for civil aviation matters in Africa.
Vice President Amissah- Arthur lauded the Commission for the management and the handling of security issues within the air transport industry, as he observed that Ghana had seen a tremendous growth in domestic airline operations.
The Vice President commended the team on its achievements so far in the industry and wished the participants a successful conference.
Mr Gonzalez appealed to governments to pay more attention to air transportation, explaining that worldwide, the aviation industry contributes on the average, about eight per cent to a country’s GDP.
‘When more attention is given to air transportation, it will have a rippling effect on our economies,’ Mr Gonzalalez said.
He said he was happy with Ghana’s progress in the aviation industry and gave the assurance the organisation would continue to be a shining example.
Ms Dzifa Ativor, Minister for Transport, said Government has decided retain all airport tax collections so that the entire revenue raised can be used to develop international and local airports.
She was consequently hopeful that there would soon be more infrastructure development and expansion works in the nation’s air transport system. GNA