Pretoria - South Africa and Ghana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will see the countries cooperate more in technical, operational, commercial and strategic business development aspects of the aviation industry.
The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) and Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) signed the memorandum this week.
“Our partnership with the Ghana Airports Company Limited, as captured in the MOU, commits us to work together more closely in technical, operational, commercial and strategic business development aspects of the aviation industry, with the object to provide excellent facilitation and commercial airport services for all stakeholders,” said Acsa.
GACL has the responsibility for planning, developing, managing and maintaining Ghana’s airports. This includes Kotoka International Airport in the country’s capital, Accra, three regional airports and other airfields.
In recent years, air traffic has been experiencing phenomenal growth, with domestic traffic growing by over 30% per annum, while that of international passengers has shown growth of around 10%.
The South African government strategy of driving business co-operation across the African continent has been supported by the Department of Transport in conjunction with Acsa.
“This announcement is a positive and exciting demonstration of a well-founded belief in the depth, wealth of experience and expert skills that Acsa has accumulated over the twenty years of its existence.
“It is equally pleasing that Ghana has recognised and acknowledged South Africa’s pre-eminence in the development and management of world-class airports by entering into an agreement for us to provide multi-dimensional assistance for their aggressive airport expansion programme,” said Transport Minister Dipuo Peters.
Ghana’s Minister of Transport Dzifa Aku Attivor said her country’s burgeoning economy has put enormous pressure on the country’s airports, especially that of Kotoka. The upgrade of facilities is essential and this will include the building of a new terminal, she said.
“We did not have to look far for a highly recommended partner to provide us with advisory services. Showcasing Africa’s abilities through the enormously successful airports expansion and management programme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was recommendation enough for Airports Company South Africa,” she explained.
The MoU between Ghana and South Africa provides a positive example of a catalytic partnership between two diverse nations to provide the required infrastructure to boost the continent’s growth.
CEO of Acsa Bongani Maseko said the company prides itself in the ability to compete in international markets.
“As a company, we pride ourselves in the ability to compete in international markets through our involvement in some of the BRICS markets and hence we will strive to ensure that the region can provide airport facilities and services to compete with any in the world. The focus on Africa remains critical to our business in order that the continent earns its deserved place as a meaningful contender in the global economy.”
Charles Asare, CEO of Ghana Airports Company Limited, said: “This MOU opens business opportunities for co-operation in infrastructure development, ground handling operations, retail and property management development among others for our entrepreneurs and businessmen and women to pursue”.
This agreement with GACL comes in the wake of similar partnerships between and GVK for the management of Mumbai International Airport in India, and with Invepar at Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, Brazil. - SAnews.gov.za
