Ashanti Airlines makes bid for new Ghanaian flag carrier

Ashanti Airlines (Accra) has been named one of two local entities that are bidding to partner with the Ghanaian government to establish a new national airline.

The startup already received an Air Carrier Licence (ACL) in 2019 for domestic, regional, and intercontinental flights.

Aviation Ghana reports the nascent carrier has now applied for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

The investors behind Ashanti Airlines have been identified as business mogul and co-founder of the Despite Group of Companies, Osei Kwame Despite, and his business partner, Ernest Ofori Sarpong. They own the biggest media group in Ghana and several finance and food and beverage businesses.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian management consultancy and brokerage JNH Group is making a rivalling bid, according to Aviation Ghana.

As reported previously Ghana has signed MoUs with both Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir in attempts to revive a national carrier, which have not materialised. This followed the collapse of Ghana International Airlines in 2010, following the demise of Ghana Airways in 2004.