The revelation was made by Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okdozet Abrakwa in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The announcement comes shortly after a two-day official visit to the UAE made at the invitation of the Emirati government.
According to Ablakwa, the bilateral talks included an agreement on the UAE's support for Ghana's plan to launch a new national airline. He emphasized that the initiative will form part of the current government development priorities under President John Dramani Mahama.
“We also discussed two priority areas of President Mahama's government, including the opportunities for labor exports to young people in Ghana in the United Arab Emirates and technical assistance to establish a new national airline,” Ablakwa said.
Engagement to major UAE officials
The Ghanaian delegation met with several senior officials, including His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan al-Nahyan, Minister of State. Lana Nusseybe, political affairs assistant. During the discussions there was also a minister in charge of foreign trade and investment.
Ablakwa confirmed that Ghana and the UAE have agreed to commence formal political talks. This is an important milestone that marks the first such involvement between the two countries.
Ghana has made several failed attempts to revive national airlines since the collapse of Ghana Airlines in 2004 and the collapse of Ghana International Airlines in 2010.
However, the Mahama-led government has renewed its commitment to the recovery of national airlines. On May 8, 2025, the government launched a 10-person national airline task force to oversee the revival process.
National Airline Task Force Delegation
The newly established task force is tasked with developing robust business models, coordinating with international technical and strategic partners, and ensuring regulatory approval. Additionally, it oversees operational areas such as HR planning, aircraft procurement and route development.
The task force is chaired by Charles Asare, former managing director of Ghana Airport Company Limited. Other members include experienced aviation experts, former experts at the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and Joyce Bawa Mogutali, presidential advisor.
Ablakwa also reported that diplomatic involvement opened the door to new investment opportunities from UAE-based companies. Key sectors identified for collaboration include renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, aviation and defense.
He said these opportunities coincided with President Mahama's new vision for economic transformation in Ghana, and that the president “sent a clear message to the global investment community that Ghana is open for business again.”
