Tourism
ECOWAS to Cut Air Ticket Taxes from 2026, Making Flights Cheaper Across West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved a landmark aviation reform that is expected to significantly reduce the cost of air travel across the sub-region from January 1, 2026.
The move is seen as a major boost to regional integration, trade and tourism.
At a summit of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja in December 2024, ECOWAS leaders adopted a Supplementary Act that will abolish taxes applied to air transport in all member states and cut passenger and security charges by 25 percent.
The decision directly targets one of West Africa’s most persistent transport challenges: some of the highest airfares in the world.
According to ECOWAS and industry studies, taxes and charges can account for up to 50 percent of the total cost of an air ticket in the region. Passengers currently pay as many as 66 separate charges, while airlines face more than 100 different fees to operate flights. As a result, air travel costs in West Africa are estimated to be 85 percent higher than the global average for regional flights and 82 percent higher for international routes.
A boost for regional mobility and integration
The reform is expected to have wide-ranging implications for West Africa, including Ghana, which hosts one of the region’s busiest routes, Accra–Lagos. Despite this, West Africa accounts for only a fraction of Africa’s total air traffic, with Northern Africa handling about 40 percent of the continent’s passenger volumes.
High ticket prices have long discouraged travel, constrained tourism growth and limited cross-border business. They have also undermined ECOWAS’s flagship protocol on the free movement of persons and goods, a cornerstone of regional integration.
By removing air ticket taxes and reducing key charges, ECOWAS estimates that airfares could fall by as much as 40 percent, making flying more accessible to a broader segment of the population. Airlines are expected to carry more passengers, while airports and surrounding communities stand to benefit from increased economic activity.
Long-term gains for airlines and governments
While governments currently rely heavily on aviation taxes for revenue, ECOWAS argues that the existing system has created a vicious cycle of high costs, low travel volumes and limited reinvestment in airport infrastructure. The new policy aims to reverse that trend by stimulating demand and, over time, generating higher overall revenue through increased passenger numbers and a more vibrant aviation sector.
The reform aligns with global aviation principles under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Chicago Convention, which promote fair, transparent and non-discriminatory practices. It is also expected to enhance the competitiveness of West African airlines and encourage investment in airport and aviation infrastructure.
Implementation and oversight
Although Supplementary Acts adopted by ECOWAS authorities are legally binding, member states will be required to amend national laws, policies and regulatory frameworks to ensure uniform implementation across the region. Airlines are also expected to pass on the cost savings directly to passengers through lower fares.
To ensure compliance, the ECOWAS Commission will establish a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism and continue to pursue complementary initiatives such as regional aircraft leasing schemes, joint maintenance facilities and harmonised safety standards.
Looking ahead to 2026
For travellers, businesses and governments alike, the reform represents a significant shift in how air transport supports development in West Africa.
More affordable flights are expected to strengthen family ties across borders, expand trade and tourism, and deepen socio-economic links among ECOWAS member states.
As the region moves toward 2026, ECOWAS leaders say the goal is clear: a more open, competitive and accessible West African sky that supports growth and brings the promise of regional integration closer to everyday reality.
Sights and Sounds
From Fantasy Coffins to Sunset by the Sea: Exploring Accra’s Living Art Scene
The best way to understand Accra isn’t from behind the window of a tour bus. It is on foot, where every street, gallery and workshop reveals another layer of Ghana’s artistic identity.
An afternoon culture walk through the capital offers precisely that opportunity, bringing visitors face to face with traditions that continue to shape the country’s creative landscape.
The journey begins in the city’s thriving arts community, where contemporary galleries showcase paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works by Ghanaian and African artists. These spaces are more than exhibition venues.
They are meeting points for ideas, where established names and emerging talents challenge perceptions of African art while celebrating stories rooted in local experience.
One of the tour’s most memorable stops introduces visitors to one of Ghana’s most distinctive artistic traditions: fantasy coffins.
At first glance, the brightly coloured creations may seem surprising. Fashioned into forms ranging from fish and cocoa pods to cameras, aeroplanes and animals, they reflect the life, profession, achievements or aspirations of the deceased.
Originating among the Ga people of southern Ghana, fantasy coffins have become internationally recognised as remarkable examples of functional art.
They represent a cultural belief that death is not an ending but a continuation of life’s journey, where individuality deserves to be honoured with imagination and craftsmanship.
Today, these extraordinary works are admired in museums and exhibitions around the world while remaining deeply connected to the communities that created them.
As the walk continues, visitors gain an appreciation for Accra’s ability to blend tradition with modern creativity.
Murals brighten neighbourhood walls, independent studios nurture young designers and artists, and conversations with local guides provide context that cannot be found in travel brochures.
Every stop becomes an invitation to understand not only the artwork itself but also the people and cultural values behind it.
The experience concludes in a quieter setting beside the Atlantic Ocean. As the afternoon fades into evening, guests gather at a beach club to enjoy a locally inspired drink while watching the sun sink below the horizon.
The relaxed atmosphere offers time to reflect on the day’s discoveries, with the rhythm of the waves replacing the bustle of the city.
For international travellers, the culture walk presents an accessible introduction to Ghana beyond its famous landmarks.
Rather than focusing solely on monuments or museums, it celebrates creativity as a living, evolving part of everyday life.
In a city where art appears in galleries, workshops, public spaces and even funeral traditions, walking becomes more than a way to get around. It becomes a journey through the imagination, resilience and cultural richness that continue to define Accra.
Sights and Sounds
Above the Capital: Discovering Accra Through a Hot Air Balloon Adventure
Cities reveal their true character from the ground, but they tell an entirely different story from the sky.
Imagine watching the first rays of sunlight wash over Accra’s coastline, the city’s skyline gradually coming to life, while a colourful hot air balloon drifts quietly above it all.
It is a perspective few people have experienced—one that could redefine how visitors discover Ghana’s bustling capital.
Known for its energetic markets, lively beaches, historic landmarks and thriving arts scene, Accra has long attracted travellers seeking authentic West African experiences. Yet most adventures unfold at street level.
A hot air balloon tour introduces a fresh dimension, replacing traffic noise with silence and transforming familiar neighbourhoods into a sweeping landscape of colour, architecture and coastline.
Unlike helicopters or sightseeing planes, hot air balloons move gently with the wind, creating a calm and immersive journey. There is no rush from one attraction to another.
Instead, passengers are encouraged to slow down and appreciate the city’s geography, from the Atlantic shoreline stretching into the distance to the mosaic of homes, business districts, and green spaces that define modern Accra.
The experience also highlights how tourism continues to evolve in Ghana. Travellers increasingly seek memorable activities rather than simply checking landmarks off an itinerary.
Experiences that combine adventure, photography, and storytelling have become particularly attractive to younger visitors and international tourists looking for something distinctive.
Viewed from above, Accra reveals striking contrasts. Contemporary developments stand alongside historic communities, while busy roads weave towards the coast where fishing traditions continue much as they have for generations.
This aerial perspective offers more than beautiful scenery; it tells the story of a city balancing rapid growth with enduring cultural identity.
For photographers and content creators, a balloon flight provides an unrivalled canvas. The changing light, expansive horizons, and uninterrupted views create opportunities to capture images rarely seen in travel brochures. Every journey becomes unique, shaped by weather conditions, the direction of the wind, and the time of day.
As Ghana works to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations, experiences like hot air balloon tours reflect a growing emphasis on experiential travel.
Visitors are no longer satisfied with simply seeing a destination—they want to feel connected to it in unexpected ways.
Floating above Accra offers precisely that connection. It invites travellers to pause, look beyond the city’s busy rhythm and appreciate its beauty from an entirely new perspective.
Sometimes the best way to understand a place is not by walking its streets, but by quietly rising above them.
Taste GH
A Food Lover’s Guide to Ghana’s Best Street Eats
The quickest way to understand Ghana isn’t by visiting a museum—it’s by following the irresistible aroma drifting from a busy roadside food stall.
Across the country, street food is more than a convenient meal; it is a celebration of community, tradition and unforgettable flavours.
A perfect place to begin is waakye, Ghana’s famous combination of rice and beans cooked with sorghum leaves.
Served with spicy black pepper sauce, fried plantain, boiled eggs, spaghetti, gari and tender meat or fish, every plate offers a satisfying mix of textures and flavours that keeps people coming back for more.

Another favourite is kelewele, cubes of ripe plantain seasoned with ginger, garlic and chilli before being fried until caramelised.
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, its sweet-and-spicy aroma fills the evening streets, making it one of Ghana’s most-loved snacks. Plantains also provide fibre, potassium and vitamins that support overall health.

Meat lovers should not leave without tasting chichinga, Ghana’s version of grilled kebabs. Coated in a fragrant blend of spices and cooked over glowing charcoal, the smoky flavour is impossible to resist. It is a familiar sight at roadside grills, especially after sunset.
For breakfast, many Ghanaians turn to koko and koose.

The warm millet porridge, lightly spiced with ginger and cloves, pairs beautifully with crispy bean fritters, creating a nourishing meal rich in fibre and plant-based protein.
No street food adventure is complete without bofrot. These fluffy fried dough balls, lightly sweetened and golden brown, are enjoyed as a snack with tea or fresh fruit juice and are a favourite at family gatherings and neighbourhood bakeries.

From bustling city corners to small-town markets, Ghana’s street food tells stories of hospitality, heritage and everyday life.
Every bite offers visitors a delicious introduction to the country’s rich culinary identity.
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