irports Company South Africa (ACSA) and Ghana Airports Company Limited (Gacl) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which covers five years initially, but is renewable. “Today’s ceremony goes to formalise the already existing relationship between ACSA and Gacl,” said Gacl acting MD Charles Asare at the announcement of the MoU at OR Tambo International Airport, in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg. “This occa- sion is a manifestation of the cordial relationship between our two countries,” stated Ghanaian acting high commissioner in South Africa Martha Pobee, reading a speech on behalf of Ghanaian Transport Minister Dzifa Aku Attivor.

In the speech, Pobee noted that it had been the Presidents of the two countries, Jacob Zuma, of South Africa, and John Mahama , of Ghana, who last year had agreed that ACSA and Gacl should cooperate. “We believe that the opportunity to exchange skills will inevitably result from this MoU,” affirmed Acsa chairperson Busisiwe Mabuza, which will benefit both countries and both their regions. She described the MoU as a “historic agreement”.

The discovery of oil off Ghana has greatly stimu- lated the country’s economy and produced a con- comitant increase in both international and domestic air traffic. “Ghana’s impressive eco-nomic growth is reflected in passenger growth statistics,” highlighted Mabuza. “This has no doubt put pressure on the infrastructure.” Gacl’s airports, Asare reported, handled 2.5-million passengers last year. Growth in international traffic is running at 7%/y, while domestic demand has soared by 25%/y. As a result, the West African country has launched a major airport infrastructure devel-opment programme.

“Our airports have taken greater significance with the discovery of oil in Ghana,” stated Asare. “This collaboration with ACSA will allow us to achieve our vision faster . . . I am confident . . . we will be able to develop stronger relationships between ACSA and Gacl in particular, and the peoples of South Africa and Ghana, in general. Gacl will do its best to ensure successful and meaningful implementation of this MoU.” He also expressed the hope that this MoU would be only the first of many cooperation agreements between the two countries.

Gacl currently operates one international air- port (Kotoka, Accra) and three domestic air-ports (Kumasi, Sunyani and Tamale). One of the domestic airports is being upgraded to international status and two new domestic airports are being planned. Mabuza pointed out that Gacl will be able to benefit from the lessons learned by Acsa during its airports upgrading programme, done in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In the media release covering the signing of the MoU, Attivor stated: “We did not have to look far for a highly recommended partner to provide us with advisory services. Showcas- ing Africa’s abilities through the enormously suc-cessful airports expansion and management pro- gramme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was recom-mendation enough for ACSA.”

The MoU covers such matters as aviation ser- vices, infrastructure development, airport facili- ties development and maintenance, aviation-related software, airport operations (on both the ground and air sides), retail and property management and airport security. Its implemen-tation will be overseen by a bilateral committee. Both sides will fund the programmes undertaken within the ambit of the MoU.

The MoU with Gacl marks the latest stage of Acsa’s programme of developing links and business with other emerging economies. The South African company is already a member of the consortia managing Mumbai International Airport, in India, and Guarulhos International Airport, at São Paulo, Brazil. “We believe that the growth for the company comes through the leveraging of the skills we have,” stated Mabuza.