Wa, Oct. 16, GNA – The Wa Airport has officially been opened for
commercial flight operations with the first flight; Embraer 145 of the
Africa World Airlines (AWA), making historic landing on Tuesday at 1225
hours with 50 passengers on board.
Hundreds of people surged to witness the arrival of the AWA on the
Airport tarmac stretching 2000 metres (two kilometres) after several
years of non-commercial flight operation in the Region.
Operationalization of the local airport was applauded by indigenes
and visitors alike as it seeks to open the floodgate to vast investment
opportunities including tourism and ease road transportation challenges
such as armed robbery.
The people became more elated when it was announced that a native of
the Upper West Region, Mr Victor Pul, First Officer of AWA, piloted the
Embraer 145 commercial flight to the new airport.
Mr Pul said it was by dint of hard work, resilience and
determination that he was able to rise and achieve his childhood dream
of becoming a pilot.
Sharing his experience on prospects for the northern child, he said
kids in northern Ghana virtually had no opportunities to be exposed to
the aviation industry.
“My greatest hope is that more steps are taken towards demystifying
the aviation industry to kids up north,” he said.
Deputy Aviation Minister, Mr Yaw Afful, described the commencement
of the commercial flight operation as auspicious and a milestone in
Ghana’s aviation sector.
“What we are witnessing today is part of a movement led by President
Akufo-Addo and commitment to improve air transport connectivity between
the nation’s capital, Accra, and other regional capitals,” he said.
“This is also in line with the Ministry of Aviation strategic policy
direction and plan of action to open up the country by air transport to
promote economic development and business activities”.
Mr Afful said promoting air connectivity within the country and the
West African Region formed part of the Government’s agenda to making
Ghana the aviation hub within the sub-region.
The Aviation Ministry and its agencies have taken steps to ensure
the country’s airports “operate within the stipulated confines of the
relevant International Civil Aviation Organisation’s regulations and
recommended best practices”.
Head of Commercial at the AWA, Mr Richard Kyereh, said: “As the de
facto home based carrier, the airline will continue to support
government in creating air transport access within Ghana and beyond.”
“We believe… that with the support of our stakeholders and our
travel agencies, very soon we are going to commence daily flights to
Wa.”
Mr Kyereh appealed for extension of airport closing hours in Tamale
to enable the airline to operate more flights in the Northern Regional
capital.
He said the Company had requested for operating permit to operate
within the corridors of La Cote d’Ivoire for almost a year now but had
not gotten it.
In the spirit of the West Africa Air Transport market, he implored
the Aviation Minister to step in to ensure the airline secured the
operating permit.
AWA would fly three times a week to Wa – Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Sundays.
“I am happy that AWA is the first airline in the Region to engage in
this serious business,” Dr Hafiz Bin-Salih, Upper West Regional
Minister, said.
“And this affords us the opportunity to have alternative and faster
means of travel and transport service for travellers of diverse
backgrounds”.
He persuaded travellers and business persons to patronise the
airline for quicker transactions.
