Award winning Afro dancehall artist Stonebwoy has added his voice to growing public calls for the revival of Ghana Airways, joining a debate that has intensified as the government pursues plans to establish a new national carrier two decades after the original airline’s collapse.
The musician, whose real name is Livingstone Etse Satekla, took to social media platform X on October 6, 2025, urging authorities to bring back the defunct airline that once symbolized Ghana’s post independence ambitions before financial troubles forced its liquidation in 2004.
“Bring back GHANA AIRWAYS. Please,” Stonebwoy wrote, tapping into nostalgia for an airline that many Ghanaians still view as a national asset lost to mismanagement rather than inevitable market forces.
The appeal comes as President John Dramani Mahama’s government has already signaled intentions to establish a national airline through partnerships with what officials describe as “competent” international partners. In 2025, TAP Air Portugal was reportedly announced as a strategic partner for relaunching Ghana Airways, though concrete implementation timelines remain unclear.
Stonebwoy’s intervention reflects broader public sentiment that Ghana’s lack of a national carrier undermines the country’s regional standing and forces travelers to rely on foreign airlines that don’t necessarily prioritize Ghanaian routes or interests. For an artist who travels extensively for international performances, the absence of a home carrier likely creates practical complications around flight schedules and connections.
Ghana Airways operated from 1958 until its collapse in 2004, flying routes to destinations including London, New York, Johannesburg, and cities across West Africa. At its peak, the airline operated wide body aircraft including DC10s and VC10s, projecting an image of national pride and capability that subsequent generations have struggled to replicate.
The airline’s demise stemmed from accumulated debts exceeding $165 million, aging aircraft, and operational inefficiencies that made it uncompetitive against more nimble private carriers and better capitalized African airlines like Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways. Multiple attempts to restructure the airline failed before the government finally pulled the plug two decades ago.
Since then, Ghana has made several failed attempts to launch a replacement carrier. Africa World Airlines and other private operators have filled some gaps in domestic and regional service, but none carry the symbolic weight or international reach that a true national carrier would provide.
The government inaugurated a task force in May 2025 to fast track establishment of a new national airline, with discussions reportedly including potential partnerships with airlines in the United Arab Emirates and Portugal. Officials have promoted the airline as critical infrastructure for Ghana’s economic development, tourism growth, and regional connectivity.
However, skeptics question whether Ghana can avoid repeating the mistakes that sank Ghana Airways. Creating a financially sustainable airline requires not just government backing but sound commercial management, adequate capitalization, and protection from political interference that has undermined state enterprises across Africa.
The business case for national carriers has grown more challenging since Ghana Airways collapsed. Low cost carriers and Gulf airlines have transformed African aviation, making it harder for new entrants to compete on price while maintaining the service standards that business and leisure travelers expect.
Previous government attempts to revive Ghana Airways, including a 2020 memorandum of understanding with EgyptAir involving delivery of three Boeing 787 Dreamliners, failed to materialize despite initial optimism. That history makes many Ghanaians cynical about whether current revival plans will prove different.
Stonebwoy’s public advocacy adds celebrity weight to the national carrier debate, potentially influencing younger Ghanaians who see aviation success stories in Ethiopia and Rwanda and wonder why their country cannot replicate that performance. His recent completion of a Master’s degree in International Relations at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration suggests an interest in policy issues beyond entertainment.
Whether the musician’s call will influence government timelines or priorities remains uncertain. What it does reflect is persistent public desire for a national airline that serves as more than transportation infrastructure but as a symbol of Ghana’s capability and ambition on the global stage.
The challenge for policymakers is converting that desire into a commercially viable operation that doesn’t become another drain on public resources. Ghana’s fiscal constraints mean any national carrier will need to demonstrate financial sustainability rather than relying on endless government bailouts that divert funds from education, healthcare, and other critical needs.
As Ghana pursues its airline ambitions once again, the test will be whether officials have learned lessons from the original Ghana Airways’ failure or are destined to repeat history with different partners and aircraft but the same underlying weaknesses.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
