The liquidation of Ghana Airways Limited (GAL) which began in June 2005 is nearing completion, according to the Minister of Aviation, Miss Gloria Afua Akuffo.
The minister said with regard to severance payments, 1,024 out of the general staff have been partially settled at $1.9 million, forty-seven pilots and flight engineers fully settled at $ 1.4 million.
In all, 1,199 general staff including, cabin crew qualify for severance payment at a cost of $6.5 million, being borne by government. She said government has so far released $2 million with $4.5 million outstanding.
Speaking at the ministry's maiden "meet the press" in Accra, Miss Akuffo disclosed that GAL has a total liability of over $200 million, total realizable assets of $30 million and $23.9 million total assets realized to date.
"Settlements so far made to validated creditors include $1.8 million secured claims and $11.3 million unsecured claims."
She said Ghana Airways staff with Airways Catering Limited (ACL) prior to ACL's autonomy have also been partially settled.
However, she said claims by ACL staff engaged after autonomy have been rejected as they were not GAL staff at the time of liquidation.
Though the Aviation ministry was gazetted in 2004 it became operational in June 2006. It's mission is to promote competitive, efficient and cost effective aviation sector.
Besides, it has a vision to make Ghana an aviation hub and gateway to West Africa sub-region by the year 2015.
Spelling out the performance of the ministry, she said three state of the art fire tenders have been procured to deal with emergencies and rescue operations at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Also, Miss Akuffo said security screening equipment have been installed at KIA with and the assistance of Her Majesty's Custom of the United Kingdom Operation Westbridge security alertness has improved at KIA.
The result is that from November 2006 to April this year a total of 179 drug related arrests have been made at KIA.
"Regional airports rehabilitation involving remedial works on existing airfield pavements, new and furnished VVIP lounge and rehabilitation of terminal buildings in Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi have been carried out while some are in progress."
Consequently, she disclosed that international flights to the regional airports during Ghana 2008 tournament stood at ten in kumasi, eight in Tamale and fourteen to Takoradi through KIA.
The Aviation Minister said in the course of the last year, Ghana reviewed Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) with AU countries in line with the Yamoussoukro Decision.
Ghana also reviewed BASA with non-AU countries, while entering into new ones with Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia and Suriname.
The liberalization reforms on KIA's operations saw 91 international schedule airlines operating at KIA for the five-year period 2003 to 2007.
According to her, Ghana International Airlines Limited (GIAL), an agency of the ministry which was established in 2004 and became operational in October 2005 to carry out international and domestic air transportation has an average punctuality rate of 88.52% that and has a direct operating cost of 86% out of the total operating cost.
She said from September 2007 to March this year there was no flight cancellation by GIAL, adding that the two domestic carriers CTK and Antrak are expanding their services to the sub-region.
Miss Akuffo stated inadequate infrastructure, supply of utilities, funding and key external threats as some of the challenges facing the ministry operations.
In the years ahead, she said her ministry will enhance commercial activities to increase revenue for development, increase private sector participation in development of airport infrastructure and services and construct new airports and airstrips due to oil find.
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