As Ghana positions itself to become a leading trade and logistics hub in West Africa, industry players are increasingly looking beyond passenger aviation to the untapped opportunities within the air cargo sector. Yet while demand for faster and more reliable cargo services continues to grow, operators say challenges ranging from limited cargo capacity and rising operational costs to changing trading patterns are reshaping the business landscape.
These issues came under discussion when the Chief Executive Officer of Air Ghana, Mr. Karim Trabolusi, paid a working visit to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Prof. Ransford Gyampo, to explore areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening Ghana’s air cargo industry and supporting trade facilitation.
The meeting was attended by Air Ghana’s Accountant Manager, Mr. Hans Asiedu, as well as top officials of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
The engagement began on a cordial note, with Prof. Gyampo congratulating Air Ghana on the launch of its cargo airline operations. He described the development as a welcome addition to Ghana’s logistics landscape and noted that dedicated cargo services could play a significant role in addressing capacity challenges within the air freight industry.
He observed that many passenger aircraft operating within Ghana and the sub region often have limited cargo carrying capacity, creating constraints for businesses seeking efficient and reliable cargo transportation solutions.
Prof. Gyampo indicated that Air Ghana has the potential to become an important player in facilitating trade between Ghana and neighbouring countries while supporting the movement of goods across the continent.
He also used the opportunity to underscore the critical role of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority as the regulator of the shipping and logistics industry, stressing the need for all industry players to comply with the directives of the Authority in line with its mandate under the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
Responding, Mr. Trabolusi outlined the extensive operational and regulatory requirements involved in establishing and running an air cargo airline.
He explained that Air Ghana’s vision is to create a safe, reliable and competitively priced cargo transport service that provides shippers with an efficient avenue for conducting business while contributing to Ghana’s ambition of becoming a preferred trade hub within the region.
Mr. Trabolusi noted that the company remains committed to supporting regional trade through air transport and expressed optimism about the growth potential of the sector.
However, he pointed to a number of emerging challenges affecting the industry. Among them, he highlighted declining freight volumes, which he attributed partly to changing trading patterns among some traders.
According to him, some importers who would ordinarily ship goods through cargo channels now travel abroad, purchase products directly and return with them as personal luggage in an effort to reduce costs. While the practice may appear economical for individual traders, he noted that it is contributing to declining cargo volumes across the industry.
Mr. Trabolusi also drew attention to rising operational costs linked to global developments. He explained that the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran has had a direct impact on aviation fuel prices, creating additional cost pressures for airlines and businesses operating within the trade and logistics sector.
He appealed to the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to support efforts aimed at increasing awareness of dedicated cargo services and helping Air Ghana deepen its penetration within the market through collaborative engagements with industry stakeholders.
For her part, the Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation at the GSA, Mrs. Monica Josiah, welcomed Air Ghana’s entry into the air cargo market, describing it as a positive development for Ghana’s trade and logistics sector.
She noted that dedicated cargo airlines could help address longstanding capacity constraints associated with passenger aircraft, which often have limited space available for freight, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises seeking faster access to regional and international markets.
Mrs. Josiah encouraged Air Ghana to take advantage of the Authority’s stakeholder engagement platforms and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving trade facilitation and promoting stronger linkages within the logistics ecosystem.
The Head of Corporate Affairs at the GSA, Bernice L. Natue, highlighted additional opportunities through which the Authority could support Air Ghana’s visibility and market expansion efforts.
She explained that the GSA’s widely patronised website and social media platforms provide effective channels for reaching prospective clients and increasing awareness of services within the trade community. She also introduced the GSA’s Shipping Review magazine which offers industry players the opportunity to showcase their services and connect with potential customers across the shipping and logistics value chain.
The meeting concluded with both institutions expressing their commitment to building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership in support of Ghana’s trade agenda. For Air Ghana and the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, the conversation may have begun with cargo, but its ultimate destination is a stronger and more connected trade ecosystem for Ghana.
