Aviation Africa: 'Key economic driver for the continent'
The Hon. Dzifa Aku Attivor, Minister of Transport for Ghana, gave a keynote address on how government cooperation with the aviation industry is key. She said that the industry must be seen as a national asset and an economic driver for Africa.
She said that the inaugural Aviation Africa summit and exhibition was an obvious choice for the future of the region.
“We are telling the world that investment in aviation will translate into better lives for our people,” she said.
“It will enable us to provide essential services within the country. And further investment and a good infrastructure will help towards this.”
She added that open skies agreements are key, as are good relationships between all the countries in the region.
“Between 2010 and 2015, Africa has been said to be the fastest growing area of the world,” she said.
“Ghana is well positioned as a hub in the region. This will impact on job creation, economic opportunities and tourism within our country and further afield.”
She said that the African Air Expo, being held in Ghana in October 2016, will also highlight the importance of the region.
“We need to focus on the human capital development of our people'” she said. “IATA CEO Tony Tyler recently said that aviation creates seven million jobs in Africa. These figures are impressive, but more can be done.”
IATA said that the region has posted solid growth in Q1 2015, indicating that regional trade is holding up well, despite the under-performance of the Nigerian and South African economies.
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