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The world’s most esteemed airline, Goldstar Air, “the wings of Ghana and the belly
of America”, extends a spirit of optimism and collaboration as it warmly welcomes
Ghana’s new administration.
Your Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, please accept our heartfelt congratulations
on your well-deserved victory. We extend our best wishes for your success as you
prepare to lead and reset the nation.
The Chairman, Management, and staff of Goldstar Air look forward to welcoming
you aboard our inaugural flight and sequence ones to our initial eighteen (18)
destinations, where you will experience our signature Ghanaian touch.
We also take this opportunity to thank Your Excellency for graciously accepting our
proposal to name one of our aircraft in your honor. May your leadership inspire
unity, prosperity, and progress throughout the nation.
As a proudly Ghanaian and United States-registered company, Goldstar Air is
enthusiastic about the fresh opportunities and strategic collaboration that this new
administration brings.
The airline is confident that any collaboration with the new administration will lead
to significant advancements in Ghana’s aviation sector and beyond. Together, we
can build a resilient and prosperous future for Ghana, elevating it as a beacon of
progress in Africa.
Goldstar Air has been issued an Air Carrier License by the Ghana Civil Aviation
Authority (GCAA) and is expecting a Safety Certificate (Air Operator’s Certificate)
from GCAA, when their new Certification Team is assembled to take the airline
through the remaining phases.
The issuance of the Safety Certificate will grant Goldstar Air operational control to
manage its own aircraft and provide Ghanaians with full control over the airline’s
operations. This will also enable the airline to finalize arrangements for codeshare
flights, serving all federal states in the United States of America and other countries.
Goldstar Air’s established relationships with Boeing Company, the Michigan
Aerospace Manufacturers Association, and incentives from major airports such as
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), Rhode Island T.F. Green
International Airport (PVD), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and
Glasgow International Airport (GLA) position the airline as the obvious choice to
support Ghana’s “Reset” agenda. Goldstar Air is committed to being an economic
tool that will alleviate cedi depreciation and deliver substantial relief and progress to
the nation.
United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, delivering the keynote speech
at a Thanksgiving dinner and awards night at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana,
on Saturday, November 16, 2024, to mark the American Chamber of Commerce’s
(AMCHAM) 35th Anniversary, stated that both the private sector in Ghana and
international investors are seeking stability to encourage further investments. She
emphasized that real reforms are necessary to establish this stability, which will help
retain existing foreign investments and attract new ones.
Ambassador Palmer also urged the incoming administration to be responsible
stewards of the public purse, advocating for leaders to exercise utmost transparency
in concluding tenders, projects, and concessions. She highlighted that true
transparency fosters public trust, boosts investor confidence, and ensures the best
value for taxpayers.
Goldstar Air’s 24-hour service is prepared to support the new administration in
resetting Ghana’s economy. The airline aims to drive foreign exchange earnings and
stimulate economic growth, positioning Ghana as a pivotal player in the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As the host country for the AfCFTA, Ghana is strategically positioned to benefit from
a continent-wide market encompassing 54 countries, over 1.3 billion people, and a
combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
Goldstar Air’s 24-hour service initiative is expected to create over two million direct
and indirect job opportunities for Ghanaians, particularly for the youth. These jobs
will span employment within the airline and extend to sectors such as tourism,
hospitality, logistics, and retail and others creating a ripple effect across the
economy.
The airline’s commitment to trade and investment is projected to contribute over
60% to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This effort will aid the country in
addressing its significant debt stock of GHS 761.2 billion, equivalent to 75.7% of GDP
as of July 2024 within some few years.
According to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, there is an outstanding
energy debt of $2.5 billion, along with an additional $37 billion owed to road
contractors and other service providers.
The aviation industry contributes $3.5 trillion (4.1%) to the world’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP). If aviation were a country, it would rank 17th in size by GDP,
comparable to the GDP of Indonesia and the Netherlands. The industry also supports
87.7 million jobs globally.
Air transport provides a critical global transportation network for passengers and
cargo, making it essential for international business operations, personal travel, and
tourism.
It delivers substantial economic benefits by connecting people and
businesses worldwide, while also fostering significant social benefits by improving
communication between different regions and increasing access to remote areas.
Goldstar Air’s presence highlights the qualitative impact of investment in aviation
infrastructure.
By offering greater access to the global air transport network, these
investments can expand Ghana’s economic productive potential. This provides an
essential basis for including broader network benefits in future policy and
investment decisions.
The airline is poised to play a crucial role in resetting Ghana’s economy through its
expansive network and state-of-the-art services. By enhancing connectivity and
facilitating trade and investment, the airline seeks to attract foreign investors, boost
tourism, and generate sustainable job opportunities, thereby addressing
unemployment and improving living standards.
Goldstar Air is eager to collaborate with the new administration, which has
demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing infrastructure, economic
development, and innovation. The airline’s mission aligns seamlessly with these
goals, and together, we can to make significant progress in advancing Ghana’s
aviation industry and overall economy.
According to Eric Bannerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldstar Air,
“the wings of Ghana and the belly of America,” the airline is set to commence
operations in 2025 and is preparing to introduce a 24-hour service model, which is
designed to be a cornerstone in resetting Ghana’s economy.
By enhancing connectivity and facilitating trade and investment, the airline aims to position Ghana as an aviation hub in West Africa to attract foreign investors, boost tourism, and
create sustainable job opportunities, thereby addressing unemployment and
improving living standards.
Goldstar Air’s goal of positioning Ghana as a 24-hour service aviation hub in Africa is
ambitious but achievable. The airline will capitalize on the country’s geographic
location as a gateway to West Africa and a convenient transit point for flights
between the Americas, Europe, and the rest of Africa. This will bring numerous
economic, social, and infrastructural benefits to the country.
Ghana must include transit facilities and immigration should adopt a new policy that
recognizes transit passengers to benefit from the West Africa hub or Gateway to
West Africa. Goldstar Air will have transit facilities where our passengers will stay
until they board their next flight, as the airline’s vision extends to operating over one
hundred aircraft and generating sustainable job opportunities for Ghanaians to
connect African businesses and capitalize on the opportunity presented by the Africa
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by improving ground transportation at the
various airports in Ghana.
Goldstar Air will segment class of passengers who in other countries are made to
wait in the transit facility on the airside until they are due to fly again and will be
working with the Ghana Immigration Service to treat passengers whose destination
is not Ghana differently and who will be at the airside to be able to tour some parts
of the country whiles on transit, not to obtain a visa or follow other procedures like
other passengers whose final destination is Ghana and this will create more jobs for
the ground transportation and part of the airline over two million direct and indirect
job opportunities.
What is usually obtained is that if the passengers are not leaving the airport, they do not need a visa because they are in transit.
Tourists spend more money when they travel, and the money they spend if
reinvested, it directly impacts the local economy. According to the first UNWTO
World Tourism Barometer of the year, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of
pre-pandemic levels.
As the airline prepares for takeoff, it invites the public, stakeholders, and
international partners to join in this exciting journey. With a shared vision of growth
and innovation, Goldstar Air and the new administration are set to transform
Ghana’s economic landscape, bringing prosperity and progress to the nation and its
people, and aim to be recognized among the top 100 best companies in Africa.
Goldstar Air looks forward to forging strong collaboration with the government, local
businesses, and international stakeholders. By working together, the airline and its
partners aim to achieve shared objectives and create a resilient and prosperous
future for Ghana.
The airline envisions a future where Ghana’s aviation sector thrives, contributing
significantly to the nation’s economic landscape. With the support of the new
administration and the airline’s strategic initiatives, there is immense potential for
growth and success. We are confident that our collaboration with the new
administration will lead to significant advancements in Ghana’s aviation sector and
beyond. Together, we can build a brighter and more prosperous future for the
country.
As Goldstar Air prepares for this exciting journey, the airline invites the public,
stakeholders, and international partners to join in this endeavor. With a shared
vision of growth and innovation, Goldstar Air and Ghana’s new administration are
set to transform the nation’s economic landscape, bringing prosperity and progress
to all.
Goldstar Air will advocate for an annual National Thanksgiving Day in Ghana as a
dedicated day for collective gratitude, reflection, and appreciation of God with
family and friends. This initiative will serve as a unifying force fostering national
cohesion amidst the diverse tapestry of cultures. The day should be marked by
various activities including interfaith services, community gatherings, and public
events. This will encourage participation across all sectors of the country which will
boost tourism through travel.
An example is Thanksgiving Day in the United States which is a time to gather with family and friends, share a traditional meal, and express gratitude for the good things in life and celebrated every fourth Thursday in November and was first celebrated in 1621.
Examining the worth of some global market revenues, such as Aviation ($3.5 Trillion),
Chocolate ($150 Billion), Tourism ($8.8 Trillion), Gold ($100 Billion), Fashion ($3
Trillion), Beauty and Makeup ($700 Billion), Movies and Entertainment ($200.38
Billion), Sports ($2.65 Trillion)Cargo ($2.2 Trillion), Music Copyright ($45.5 Billion),
Courier ($466.79 Billion), Aviation Insurance ($15.65 Billion), Maintenance Repair
Overhaul ($104 Billion), In-flight Catering ($22 Billion), Ghana can seriously tap into
these income streams and in a matter few years, the country can pay off its debt of
over GHS 761.2 Billion.
The Ho Industrial Zone’s viability will serve as an economic generator for the Volta
region. Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as charter flights,
will open more doors for the Volta region.
Wa will experience charter flights connecting rural and smaller communities to
global cities, which will help local businesses expand and attract new companies. Hajj
flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will also be part of this initiative,
from the northwestern corner of Ghana.
Tamale the “Mother of all regions,” will serve as a pivotal hub for the airline’s
maintenance base, cargo operations, and training school. Plans are also underway to
operate international flights to and from the Sahel region, in addition to Hajj flights
to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The airline will initiate flights from the Garden City of Kumasi to Rome, Madrid,
Hamburg, London, Dusseldorf, Milan, and Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.
Accra, the capital city will also operate flights to destinations such as Washington,
Dubai, Lagos, Toronto, Monrovia, Conakry, Abidjan, Guangzhou, Dakar, Banjul,
Rhode Island, London, and Freetown, along with pending cities like Miami (Florida),
Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), Glasgow (Scotland), Houston (Texas), and many
more.
