MINISTER OF AVIATION INSPECTS WORKS AT TAKORADI AIRPORT

Minister for Aviation, Hon Joseph Kofi Adda on Monday September 21 paid a working visit to the Airforce Base in the Western Regional Capital, Takoradi. In the company of the Regional Minister, Dr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Hon Kofi Adda used the opportunity to inspect the progress being made on the renovation works being done at the airport terminal. It is the first time the terminal is receiving a major facelift since it was first built.

Addressing the press after his inspection, the Minister for Aviation who doubles as MP for Navrongo Central stated emphatically that the Aviation sector has been recognized by His Excellency the President, Nana Akufo Addo as an important element for economic development. He said it is the reason why the government has committed to expand aviation infrastructure and improve services.

“I have come on a tour of the Western Region and the Central Region to see the potential of these areas for aviation projects”, he said. He added that the Takoradi Airforce base cannot be overlooked because that is where aviation started in the country.

He also added that “the rehabilitation going on is being done largely by the Airforce division of the Ghana Armed Forces but the government is also supporting with resources. We have been able identify the things that are needed, in terms of money to support them to bring in gadgets and to do civil works and so on, and so forth. We have written proposals to the Ministry of Finance to help us to be able to support them”.

Hon Kofi Adda also mentioned that government has an eye on the land at Kejabil in the Ahanta West Municipality where an international airport is set to be erected. He detailed that plans are far advanced, as feasibility studies has been completed, and funding being sought. Subject to Minister of Finances’ approval, preparatory work should begin early 2021. 

On the matter of cost of airfares in Ghana, the minister mentioned that he is in talks with the Ministry of finance to in the medium term, waive off some of the taxes in the sector. This will cause the fares to be reduced, which he believes will encourage the ordinary Ghanaian to consider transport by air, as it is a safer alternative.

On his part, Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah iterated that transport by air is increasingly becoming popular among Ghanaians which makes it even important for the Ministry of Aviation to support the Airforce to make the airport safe to use by all and sundry.

The MP for Takoradi was also confident about the important role an improved and efficient airport would play in making the Western Region the number one spot for Tourism.

Air Vice-Marshal Frank Hanson, Chief of air staff at the airport who led the minister through the inspection touted the Takoradi Air Force Base as the bedrock of aviation in Ghana. He was hopeful that the expansion of operations at the airport shall lead to an increase in patronage by the general populace. When that happens, he is convinced that air fares shall go down too.

SOURCE:

ISD, SEKONDI.

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The Hon. Regional Minister is pro-business, believes in sustainable development and is a lead advocate for the oil and gas local content in the parliament of Ghana. He is an experienced politician and business development advocate.

The Hon. Regional Minister as a student of Mfantsipim School, he produced the first science magazine of the school in 1993.

He holds a BSc(Hons) Biochemistry degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology(Ghana) and a Master of Arts degree in Democracy,
Governance, Law and Development from the University of Cape Coast(Ghana). In
2014 he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree (DL Honoris Causa) by AIUCC,
Missouri USA.

Joining Parliament in 2009 till date he has served on many Parliamentary Committees and
delegations including Foreign Affairs, Roads and Transport, Education and Subsidiary
Legislation Committee that developed the current local content law, LI 2204. Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah became a member of the 2016 New Patriotic Party Manifesto Committee on Energy and a member of the 2017
Government Transition Team on Energy.

He founded the IT Company, e-Base Africa Ltd with his elder brother and became the Managing Director in 2001. His leadership introduced broadband internet in the Western Region and KNUST Kumasi.

For his commitment and pragmatic leadership ethics, he still serves on the Boards of
Raybow International Hotel, ORPED International, Western Regional Coastal
Foundation (an Oil & Gas not-for-profit), Citizen Advisory Council and Students in
Free Enterprise of Takoradi Technical University.

His vision is to make the Western Region a model one hinged on three main pillars of:
i. Entrepreneurial Governance System,
ii. Enterprising Western Region, and
iii. working to achieve the thematic areas of the Sustainable Development Goals mainstreaming and empowering the Youth
He recently received the award of the most outstanding business leader of the year – Public Sector at the prestigious Ghana Business Standard awards 2019 and the Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Centre in partnership with Dynasty Group – Qatar presented by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar.

She was the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency from 2001 to 2016 for 4 terms. Whilst in Parliament, she became a Parliamentary Leader for 12 years as a Deputy Chief Majority and Minority Whips.

On issues of women empowerment, Mrs. Gifty Kusi has had a lot of training and experiences. She was the Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus in the Parliament of Ghana and the Convener of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians for Africa and the Africa Representative to the international Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians to conferences.

As a member of the Gender and Children Committee, she became the Ranking Member for the committee from 2012 to 2016.

She also attended the West African workshop on Women in Politics in Sierra Leone organized by Gender and Youth Division, Commonwealth Secretariat in London

Her training also took her to the United Nations Sessions of the Committee for the Status on Women (CSW) on three occasions at the New York Headquarters in New York, USA. She also attended the Committee On Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Conference in Geneva UN Office to defend the status of Ghanaian women.

She attended the session to defend the Child Rights of the Ghanaian Children in Geneva with the Minister of Gender and Children on two occasions.

She attended a 3-Month Internship Programme, at the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights and African Women Leadership course in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 1999.

She served on the Committee on the Drafting of Affirmation Action Bill presently before Cabinet and also attended the session on African Commission On Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights held at the Gambia

She also attended a workshop to Review Laws on Female Genital Mutilation and to Advocate for Law Reform and on Early Childhood care and Development sponsored by Ghana Association of Women’s Welfare and the Ministry of Gender and Children all in Accra

She is a women activist who has presented papers at various conferences on energy, mining and women issues. She also served for 12 years on the Health Committee as a Vice Chairperson and as a member. She attended many conferences on health and the World Health Assembly by the WHO in 2014.

Mr. Ataogye is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants Ghana (2018); a Chartered Professional Administrator (ChPA) and a Chartered Management Consultant (CMC).

He was appointed into the Ghana Civil Service (and later the Local Government Service) in May 1990 and has been responsible for the management of the Assemblies’ and the RCC’s Human, Material and Financial Resources; superintending their operations/management, planning co-ordination, resource mobilization as well as service delivery and project implementation.

 

Mr. Ataogye has a: “let’s fix it” attitude – a true problem solver. He demonstrates strategic and transformational leadership. He is an experienced Administrator / Co-ordinating Director of high repute and is very affable with effective communication and negotiation skills.

 

Mr. Ataogye, as a student of Nandom Secondary School (1980-1982) and Notre Dame Seminary Secondary School, Navrongo (1975-1980) held the post of House Prefect in both schools.

 

He holds a BSc(Hons) Administration (Management) from the University of Ghana, Legon and a Master of Governance and Leadership (MGL) from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He also has to his credit, certificates from GIMPA for the Chief Executive Programme, Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and Post Graduate Certificate in Public Administration.

 

National Service Assignment

Mr. Michael B. Ataogye fulfilled his National Service obligations at the Navrongo Secondary School (1983/84), where he taught French and Economics and later in 1989 at the Asutifi South District assembly, Kenyasi in the Brong Ahafo Region.

 

Awards

In 2005, he was awarded the Best Senior Staff for Good Human Relations, Staff Motivation and Initiative; and for Leadership provided for the Landscaping and Beautification of the Asante Akim South District Assembly Grounds at Juaso.

 

He was commended by the Head of Civil Service for Good 2004 Annual Administrative Performance and Reporting (Asante Akim South District Assembly, Juaso).

 

He was also commended by the Civil Service Council for Excellent Performance in the Execution of the 1999 Performance Agreement of District Co-ordinating Directors (Aowin Suaman District Assembly, Enchi).

 

Additional Assignment

Mr. Ataogye served as a member of the Management/ Governing Board of Kumasi Rattray Park (June 2015-December 2016) and a member of the Governing Board of Prempeh College, Kumasi (Feb 2015-Feb 2019).

 

For his commitment, innovative and pragmatic leadership as well as ethical conduct, he served on the Boards of the following institutions;

 

He was the Chairman for the Social Committee on the Resettlement of Atuabo Community near Tarkwa (1996-1997) and Chairman for Ejura-Sekyedumase Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (Jan,2009-Nov,2019).

 

Training/Career Development Courses and Seminars attended

Among the several training courses, seminars and workshops attended are the following:

 

Thesis and Dissertations presented

Mr. Michael B. Ataogye researched and worked on the following topics;