Ghana has established a national committee to drive the implementation of measures aimed at reducing aviation taxes and charges, as the country moves to make air travel more affordable and strengthen its competitiveness as a West African aviation hub. According to Travel News Africa, the committee was inaugurated on August 20, 2026, by Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe and will oversee the implementation of an ECOWAS regional policy on aviation taxes, fees and charges.
Under the regional reforms, ECOWAS member states are expected to remove selected ticket, tourism, solidarity and foreign travel taxes, while reducing passenger service and security charges by 25 per cent. The reforms are designed to lower airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and improve connectivity across West Africa. The ECOWAS Commission estimates that removing selected taxes and cutting passenger and security charges by 25 per cent could generate more than 1.2 million additional passengers annually across domestic, regional and international markets. The reforms are also expected to support tourism, trade, employment and the competitiveness of regional airlines.
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Ghana’s move comes amid concerns over the high cost of air travel in the region. The Board of Airline Representatives Ghana (BARGH) has previously warned that rising passenger taxes and airport charges could undermine Ghana’s position as a gateway to West Africa and make neighbouring hubs more attractive to travellers. The national committee will therefore have the task of balancing lower aviation costs with the financial and operational requirements of airports, air navigation and security agencies, while ensuring compliance with international aviation standards.
The initiative aligns with Ghana’s wider commitment to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the development of a more affordable, connected and competitive African aviation sector
