Ghana’s transport minister says a 10-member taskforce is accelerating work to establish a new flag carrier as the government pursues its goal of strengthening the country’s position as a regional aviation hub.

Joseph Bukari Nikpe told the country’s Business & Financial Times newspaper at a recent transport and logistics fair in Accra that the team is developing a business model and management framework for the proposed carrier, which he said is intended to be competitive, sustainable, and reflect Ghana’s long-term economic ambitions.

Nikpe said Ghana must leverage infrastructure investments at its main airport, Accra, and its strategic location as the “gateway to Africa”.

President John Mahama issued a directive at the end of April for the appointment of the task team to lead the process of creating a new airline.

This follows several unsuccessful efforts to restore a national carrier, including a recent bid involving Ashanti Airlines and earlier proposals with Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir. Ghana has been without a functioning state airline since the collapse of Ghana Airways in 2004 and the failure of its successor Ghana International Airlines six years later in 2010.