President John Dramani Mahama says he hopes to have Ghana Airways back in the air before leaving office, placing the revival of a national airline among his administration’s plans to improve transport and support economic growth.
Speaking after receiving an honorary doctorate from the Russian University of Transport in Moscow on Tuesday, October 27, he said work was underway to rebuild the carrier alongside investments in roads, railways, ports and airports.
“It’s my hope that before I leave office, we will have Ghana Airways back in the air,” the President said.
His remarks expressed an ambition for the airline’s return, without setting out a launch date, fleet arrangements or financing details.
Transport investment takes centre stage
President Mahama said transport infrastructure was central to development because it allowed people, goods and businesses to move more efficiently.
“Transport systems are an important catalyst to development,” he said, pointing to the role of railways, highways, shipping and aviation in the growth of economies.
He told the audience that Ghana was investing in modernising its transport networks and creating opportunities for investment.
Under the Big Push programme, he said, government was reconstructing major roads across the country. He also outlined airport expansion, work on three new regional airports, new freight trains and extensions to the railway network.
The President cited investments in Tema’s port infrastructure and the expansion of other port facilities as part of the broader transport agenda.
These were presented as the government’s account of ongoing infrastructure activity. He did not give project completion dates in the supplied address.
Skills needed to support infrastructure
The university recognised President Mahama for his leadership and contribution to infrastructure and education at a ceremony attended by academic senate members, Ghanaian officials, students and diplomats.
He became the first sitting Head of State to receive an honorary doctorate from the institution, which is marking 130 years.
He also called for stronger cooperation between the university and Ghanaian institutions in transport engineering, railway development, logistics, road safety and technology.
Such partnerships, he said, could help build the expertise needed to develop and maintain transport infrastructure.
His transport ambitions extended beyond moving passengers. Freight services and port connections formed part of the infrastructure he identified for supporting production and trade.
Industrialisation and electricity supply
During an earlier dialogue with students, President Mahama said Ghana was considering nuclear energy as part of efforts to secure the electricity needed for industrialisation.
He linked the energy discussion to the country’s ambition to process more of its minerals locally, saying expanded industrial activity would require substantially more power.
“My dream is to translate the macroeconomic success into jobs and opportunities for the young people,” he said.
The comments outlined his development priorities rather than announcing a completed nuclear agreement or a new power plant construction schedule.
Two honours during Moscow visit
The transport university’s award was the second honorary doctorate conferred on President Mahama in Moscow that day.
He also received recognition from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, returning nearly four decades after studying there as a postgraduate student.
The university announced a Patrice Lumumba scholarship intended to support seven students annually in recognition of Ghana and Russia’s cooperation.
President Mahama’s visit includes participation in the third Russia–Africa Summit, scheduled for October 28 and 29, with discussions covering economic and humanitarian cooperation.
The gathering is expected to bring together more than 30 African leaders. He is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and engage businesses and state institutions.
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