By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The vision to transform Kotoka International Airport (KIA) into West Africa’s primary aviation gateway reached a critical crossroads this week during the 5th Aviation Ghana Breakfast Meeting.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, issued a strong call for enhanced international connectivity, while industry stakeholders sounded the alarm over proposed levies that could make Ghana one of the world’s most expensive destinations for air travel.
Speaking during a high-level panel themed “Advancing Ghana’s Aviation Sector,” Mrs. Opare emphasized that becoming a hub requires more than just state-of-the-art buildings; it requires deliberate connectivity.
“We often talk about Ghana becoming the aviation hub… Number one is connectivity in the region,” she stated, noting that intra-African travel remains notoriously inefficient. Mrs. Opare drew comparisons to Ethiopia’s capital, pointing to Addis Ababa as the gold standard for a transit hub that links a continent to the world.
“Innovation beyond aircraft” to fuel 24-hour economy
Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has challenged the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to look past traditional aeronautical operations and unlock the commercial potential of airport lands to drive the government’s “24-hour economy” agenda.
During a high-profile familiarization tour of GACL and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Thursday, February 12, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the vast real estate surrounding Ghana’s airports remains an untapped goldmine for non-aeronautical revenue.
Expanding the revenue horizon
The visit served as a platform for the Ministry to reiterate its “Resetting Agenda,” focusing on financial sustainability through commercial diversification.
“I am here to encourage you to be more innovative and look beyond just aircraft operations,” Madam Affo-Toffey told GACL management. “Fully utilize our airport land and facilities for commercial purposes to create jobs and support the 24-hour economy.”
Infrastructure upgrades on the horizon
To support this ambition, GACL is moving forward with several major projects:
Terminal 2 & 3 Link: A new concourse will connect the terminals to ensure seamless airside transfers.
Expansion Opportunities: The concourse will house 4 to 5 new lounges and retail spaces, with GACL inviting airlines to submit proposals for private lounges.
Northern Apron: Construction of a 10-aircraft capacity parking bay is set to restart after a four-year funding hiatus.
Regional Growth: Rehabilitation of the Sunyani Airport and new projects in Bolgatanga and Wa are also in the pipeline.
The Cost: Is Ghana Pricing Itself Out?
While infrastructure plans were met with optimism, the mood shifted as airline representatives addressed the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC), scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026.
Stellamaris Ndunge, representing the Board of Airline Representatives Ghana (BAR-GH), warned that the new US$100 levy on return tickets would be a “deterrent” to growth.
A Comparative Look at Airport Charges
If implemented, Ghana’s total departure charges would skyrocket, potentially diverting traffic to cheaper regional hubs like Lomé or Abidjan.
Region/Category Average Return Trip Charge (USD)
Global Average $30 – $34
African Average ~$68
West African Average ~$110
Ghana (Post-April 2026) $243
“This new fee will catapult Ghana into the top 10 most expensive countries globally,” Ndunge warned. Locally, Ghana is projected to jump from the 9th to the 3rd most expensive country in Africa, trailing only Gabon and Sierra Leone.
Balancing growth and affordability
The government maintains that the AIDC is a necessary evil. Revenue from the US$100 international and GH¢100 domestic charge will be held in a dedicated escrow account managed by the Ministry of Transport, strictly for infrastructure development.
However, Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, urged Ghana to align with ECOWAS directives, which recently called for a 25% reduction in passenger charges by 2026. He emphasized that for aviation to be a catalyst for economic expansion, it must remain competitive.
As the April deadline approaches, the industry remains locked in a debate: can Ghana build a world-class hub if the cost of landing there is world-highest?
