Strategic partner to hold majority stake in commercially driven national carrier, with government taking minority carried interest; global interest already confirmed.

Ghana’s Ministry of Transport has formally launched a search for strategic investors to establish a new national airline, setting an ambitious timeline that could see the carrier fully operational by the first quarter of 2027.

In a Request for Expression of Interest issued this week, the government announced it is seeking qualified airline partners or consortia with the technical, financial, and operational capacity to develop a commercially viable, internationally competitive carrier based in Accra. The move signals renewed government commitment to restoring a flag carrier capable of enhancing connectivity, supporting tourism, and facilitating trade.

Key Requirement: Aircraft Deployment by Q1 2027

A key requirement of the process is the ability of prospective partners to “acquire, supply and deploy” aircraft and operational equipment within defined timelines, with initial fleet deployment expected no later than the first quarter of 2027. The plan also must include medium- and long-term fleet expansion aligned with network growth, ensuring the airline can scale sustainably as demand increases.

Dual-Model Strategy: Full-Service Long-Haul Meets Low-Cost Regional

The proposed airline is expected to operate a dual-model approach, combining full-service long-haul operations to destinations in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia, alongside regional services structured around a hybrid or low-cost model to boost intra-African connectivity. This twin-track strategy is designed to capture both premium international travelers and price-sensitive regional passengers.

In addition to passenger operations, the government is seeking partners capable of developing an integrated cargo business to support trade and logistics, positioning Accra as a regional aviation hub. The cargo component is seen as critical to the airline’s long-term commercial viability and Ghana’s ambitions to become a West African logistics gateway.

Majority Stake for Private Partner, Government Carried Interest

Under the proposed structure, the selected strategic investor will hold a majority equity stake in the new airline, reflecting a shift from previous state-led models toward a commercially driven partnership framework.

In this new enterprise, the strategic partner is expected to hold the majority of the shares, with the Government of Ghana initially holding a 10 percent carried interest and the option to purchase an additional 15 percent of the shares at a later stage.

Global Interest Already Confirmed

AviationGhana reports that there is already interest from a North American airline, a European carrier, an African airline, and other major carriers based in the Gulf region.

The participation of established international airlines would bring valuable technical expertise, established networks, and operational credibility to the project.

Selection Process and Deadline

The selection process will involve multiple engagement rounds, culminating in the selection of a preferred partner.

Interested parties have until May 29, 2026, to submit initial proposals.

The government has indicated that transparency and due diligence will be paramount throughout the evaluation process.

Learning from Past Attempts

Ghana has made several attempts to re-establish a national carrier following the collapse of Ghana Airways and later Ghana International Airlines. Those earlier ventures faced challenges including intense regional competition, financial mismanagement, and the broader impact of global industry disruptions. The latest initiative, with its emphasis on private-sector leadership and commercial discipline, represents a deliberate departure from previous state-dominated models.

Economic and Regional Implications

If successfully executed within the stated timelines, the project could mark a significant milestone in Ghana’s aviation sector development and regional positioning.

For the Ghanaian economy, a successful national airline would create jobs, support tourism, facilitate exports through cargo capacity, and strengthen Accra’s standing as a preferred West African hub alongside competitors such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Lagos.

The government’s plan for a new national airline aims to revitalize an industry that has faced headwinds in recent years, including intensified competition from neighboring countries and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the formal call for investors now issued, attention turns to which global players will submit bids before the May 29 deadline.

The government has cancelled three mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited following investigations that uncovered unlawful sub-contracting, unpermitted operations, and foreign national involvement in “galamsey” — with criminal charges now possible.

In a decisive move against regulatory violations in the extractive sector, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has revoked the Akango, Salman, and Nkroful mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited.

The decision, announced in a press statement on Sunday, April 26, follows a series of investigations by the Minerals Commission that uncovered multiple instances of illegal and unauthorised mining activities in direct breach of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and related regulations.

The revocation, made pursuant to Section 100(2) of Act 703, is deemed to be in the public interest, particularly where mineral rights have been used to facilitate illegal mining activities — commonly referred to as “galamsey” — or where statutory requirements have been fundamentally violated.

Six Major Breaches Uncovered by Investigators

According to the Ministry, investigations supported by documentary and photographic evidence revealed several serious infractions by Adamus Resources Limited:

1. Unlawful Sub-Contracting: The company sub-contracted mining operations on its concessions without obtaining necessary ministerial consent as required under Section 14 of Act 703.
2. Illegal Mining Without Permits: Operations were carried out without approved mining operating plans or valid permits from the Chief Inspector of Mines, violating Regulation 8(1) of the Minerals and Mining (Health, Safety and Technical) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2182).
3. Failure to Obtain Regulatory Approvals: The company did not secure essential approvals from bodies including the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), in breach of Section 18 of Act 703.
4. Engagement of Foreign Nationals in Illegal Mining: Specifically, Chinese nationals were involved in “galamsey” activities on the affected concessions — a direct contravention of Section 99(5)(a) and (b) of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).
5. Substandard Mining Operations: Activities took place outside designated mining areas, far from approved infrastructure, and fell below regulatory standards.
6. Environmental Degradation: The illegal operations caused significant land disturbance and ecosystem destruction, posing serious risks to water bodies, public health, and the livelihoods of surrounding communities.

Criminal Charges Not Ruled Out

The government made clear that revocation of the leases is not the end of the matter. The decision does not preclude the possibility of criminal charges being brought against the company, its directors, and management under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

“The government has made it clear that it will take all necessary steps to hold those responsible for the illegal mining activities accountable,” the statement read.

The Ministry has also reassured the public that steps will be taken to protect the jobs and livelihoods of workers impacted by the revocation of the leases, with further measures to support affected workers to be announced in due course.

Broader Implications for Ghana’s Mining Sector

The revocation of Adamus Resources Limited’s mining leases signals an intensification of Ghana’s crackdown on regulatory violations in the extractive industry, particularly those linked to “galamsey” — a persistent challenge that has caused widespread environmental damage across the country.

For global investors and mining operators in West Africa, the decision serves as a clear warning that Ghanaian authorities are prepared to enforce compliance with mining laws, including provisions against unauthorised foreign participation and environmental negligence.

The move also aligns with broader regional efforts under ECOWAS to combat illegal resource extraction, which has been linked to financing for non-state armed groups and transnational criminal networks.

Adamus Resources Limited has not yet issued a public response to the revocation. The company’s mining leases covered concessions in the Western Region, an area known for significant gold deposits and active small-scale mining operations.

Ghana achieved a landmark economic milestone in 2025, generating over $5 billion from non-traditional exports (NTEs), a staggering 30.7% increase from the previous year, according to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority’s (GEPA) 2025 Non-Traditional Exports Statistics Report.

The double-digit surge underscores a decisive shift away from raw commodity dependence toward value-added and diversified export sectors, with cocoa derivatives, cashew, shea, plastics, and processed foods leading the charge.

For entrepreneurs and investors eyeing the export market, the message from the data is unambiguous: strategic, informed entry is everything.

“The opportunity is not just in exporting… It’s in exporting strategically,” one market analyst noted, emphasising that success hinges on studying what is already working rather than starting randomly.

Top-Performing Non-Traditional Exports in 2025

The GEPA data reveals a clear hierarchy of high-value earners. Cocoa paste – a processed derivative of raw beans – topped the list, bringing in an impressive $789 million.

Cocoa butter followed closely at $635 million, demonstrating the growing global appetite for Ghanaian value-added cocoa products rather than raw beans.

Other standout performers included:

• Iron and steel products: $316 million
• Cashew nuts: $297 million
• Articles of plastics: $217 million
• Cocoa powder: $233 million
• Canned tuna: $213 million
• Shea nuts and shea oil (combined): Over $350 million
• Aluminium products: $165 million

The Strategic Takeaway

The 30.7% year-on-year growth reflects a deliberate national strategy to move up the value chain. Cocoa paste, butter, and powder – all processed forms of Ghana’s signature crop – collectively earned over $1.65 billion, far surpassing what raw bean exports would have generated. Similarly, shea nuts and oil, cashew nuts, and canned tuna point to a thriving agro-processing sector.

For new entrants, the data offers a roadmap. High-performing categories such as plastics and aluminium products also signal opportunities beyond agriculture, including light manufacturing and industrial processing.

“If you’re serious about exporting, here is where you start looking,” the commentary concluded, pointing aspiring exporters directly toward Ghana’s proven growth sectors.

With global demand for processed agricultural goods and manufactured products continuing to rise, Ghana’s NTE success story in 2025 positions the country as a competitive player in international trade.

The challenge now for policymakers and private sector actors alike is to build on this momentum, deepen processing capabilities, and open new market access corridors.