A Plea for Dignity in the Skies
By Dr. Ato Kwamena Danso · 1 July 2025 · Politics
I am writing to you with deep concern regarding a recent horrifying experience involving Ghanaian citizens aboard a British Airways flight from London to Ghana. A video circulating shows passengers in genuine fear for their lives, offering what they believed to be their final prayers as the plane violently jolted in the sky, just minutes before its scheduled landing at Kotoka International Airport. I've been reliably informed the flight was diverted to Lomé, where passengers were told the aircraft had technical and fueling issues. This incident is not isolated. The use of what appear to be dilapidated planes on routes to Africa has become far too common. These airlines seem to be taking Ghanaian passengers for granted, and it’s a direct consequence of our lack of a national airline. We haven't had a national flag carrier since Ghana International Airlines ceased operations on May 13, 2010. While some might argue that a Ghanaian airline would immediately declare losses, we must consider the success of carriers like Ethiopian Airlines, which reported a revenue of $7.02 billion for the 2023/2024 fiscal year. We need to find a way to make a national airline work. Beyond the safety concerns, the quality of service offered by many airlines, including Delta, on routes to Ghana is simply unacceptable. How can an airline serve "yorko gari" with just a few pieces of chicken as a meal? If the intention is to offer local cuisine, it should be done properly, perhaps by including beans and shito. “Gobe” and or “Red red” ? This current "gari and chicken chops combo" leaves passengers enduring discomfort, including borborygmus and constipation, for hours after landing at JFK. Osagyefo, it's time we demand better services for our citizens. Our people deserve safe, dignified, and comfortable air travel to and from our homeland. Take, for instance, the delightful surprise of mosquito spray being fogged through the cabin just minutes after landing in Accra. There's no warning, no "prepare for chemical cloud" announcement, just a sudden misty welcome. It's inconsiderate, especially for anyone with allergies or respiratory issues. Do they really think a quick airborne fumigation is the best way to greet passengers? Delta, an airline that honestly gives me nightmares. I'm still haunted by an incident on a flight to JFK a decade ago . About 45 minutes from landing, a Ghanaian woman collapsed in the restroom. A few of us rushed to perform CPR, and it was a horrifying experience. We discovered the AED machines on the plane did not work, the oxygen tubing simply didn't match the cylinders. We took turns with chest compressions until we landed, but by then, tragically, the lady had passed. We're constantly renovating and building new terminals at our airports, yet the thought of establishing our own national airline seems to be an afterthought. It's like building a grand, state of the art garage without ever buying a car. We're investing heavily in the infrastructure for air travel, but seemingly neglecting the crucial element that would truly serve our people. We rightly pride ourselves on being the beacon of Africa. We could potentially make 7 billion every year from our own airline. More to come this week, Ato_KD