Accra (Greater Accra) 23 Nov '98

The owner of the Virgin group of companies, Mr Richard Branson, has said there is a possibility of co-operation between Virgin Atlantic Airways and Ghana Airways. He noted that Ghana Airways is one of the best airlines on the continent which has survived all odds and the test of time, saying what it needs now is some capital investment to compete with other major international airlines. Mr Branson was speaking after preliminary discussions with officials of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and airline operators on possible areas of investment and co-operation. He said though it is too early to go into specifics, Virgin Airways is ready to help Ghanair in its operations. Mr Branson expressed interest in Ghana's rail network and the music industry as well as hotels. He described the GCAA as one of the best managed on the continent, saying that it has the potential to become the hub in Africa. Mr Branson said Virgin group of companies has the confidence to invest in Ghana and that he has come to begin a process that will lead to the establishment of a framework for business collaboration. Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, chief executive of GIPC, said Mr Branson's exploratory visit is indicative of his commitment to do business in the country. He said they will introduce Mr Branson to operators of the music industry and see how they can co-operate.