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Ghana’s National Airline Set to Take Off Within 12 Months

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Ghana is on track to launch a new national airline within the next 12 months, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has declared.

The move signals renewed momentum under President John Dramani Mahama to fill the long-standing void in the country’s aviation sector.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of Air Tanzania’s inaugural flight to Kotoka International Airport last Wednesday night, Minister Nikpe expressed strong confidence that all necessary documentation, regulatory approvals, and preparations would be finalized soon.

“For some time, since Ghana Airways was liquidated, several attempts have been made to re-establish a national airline, but these efforts have not come to fruition,” he said. “However, I firmly believe that under President Mahama, we have set up a task force, and the task force is working. Within the next 12 months, we will be celebrating a Ghanaian airline flying to the rest of the world.”

The announcement revives a project that has faced repeated setbacks. Ghana Airways ceased operations in the early 2000s, and its successor, Ghana International Airlines, operated from 2005 until its collapse in 2010. A more recent bid under the previous administration, involving Ashanti Airlines Limited as strategic partner, stalled after failing to meet key deadlines.

In May 2025, the current government established a 10-member task force charged with developing a sustainable business model, engaging potential strategic and technical partners, ensuring regulatory compliance and certification, and handling initial operational needs such as staffing, fleet acquisition, and route planning.

Minister Nikpe praised the task force’s progress, stating, “The task force, I must say, is doing a good job, and we are up to the task. Very soon, we will re-establish our own national airline.”

A key departure from past models is the government’s decision to avoid holding equity in the carrier.

“We as a government will not want to hold many shares in it; it will be definitely a partnership that we will use to create or re-establish a national airline,” Nikpe explained.

The focus on full private ownership and professional management aims to drive efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term viability, drawing lessons from previous state-involved failures.

The minister also highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements at Kotoka International Airport, including plans to connect Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 for seamless passenger services across domestic and international flights. He described Terminal 3—built during President Mahama’s previous tenure—as a proud national asset equipped with advanced facilities.

The proposed airline is expected to provide regional, sub-regional, and international connectivity under Ghana’s banner, boosting trade, tourism, and economic integration.

Sights and Sounds

From Fantasy Coffins to Sunset by the Sea: Exploring Accra’s Living Art Scene

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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.

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Sights and Sounds

Above the Capital: Discovering Accra Through a Hot Air Balloon Adventure

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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.

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Taste GH

A Food Lover’s Guide to Ghana’s Best Street Eats

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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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