Goldstar Air, a Ghanaian and U.S.-registered private international airline with a valid Air Carrier Licence (ACL/N-SCH No. 0239) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and no liabilities to date, continues to strengthen its international relations as it prepares for full operational rollout. The airline—licensed to operate passenger and cargo flights within West Africa and on intercontinental routes—has secured incentives from major airports across the world.
As part of its ongoing engagements, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldstar Air, Eric Bannerman, paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s newly appointed Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith. The meeting took place at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C. on October 7, 2025.
The interaction highlighted the growing connection between Ghana’s private sector and its diplomatic mission in Washington, a global centre for policy, economic cooperation, and international negotiations. For Goldstar Air—described by the company as “the wings of Ghana and the belly of America”—the visit was both symbolic and strategic. It underscored the airline’s commitment to contributing to Ghana’s aviation industry and to expanding its investment footprint.
Mr. Bannerman outlined Goldstar Air’s corporate vision and reaffirmed the company’s readiness to support Ghana’s push to build a stronger aviation hub. Ambassador Victor Smith, representing the Ghanaian state in one of the world’s most influential capitals, welcomed the engagement and acknowledged the role of private sector partnerships in advancing national development.
A key issue raised was the prolonged delay in the issuance of Goldstar Air’s Safety Certificate (AOC) for its wide-body aircraft. Although the certification process is more than halfway complete, the airline says it has waited over eight years for the GCAA to permit a qualified third party to examine and finalize the remaining phases. Completion of the process will allow the aircraft to be registered under the Ghana Registry and enable the start of full operations. As is standard internationally, airlines typically register aircraft in the jurisdiction where they are based and may receive preferential rights as national carriers.
According to Goldstar Air, securing the AOC is essential for achieving its ambitious plans, which include supporting Ghana’s 24-hour economy, creating over two million direct and indirect jobs, and contributing significantly to foreign reserves through its Project $1 Trillion initiative. The company maintains that Ghanaian youth stand to benefit greatly from the airline’s universal pay structure and bi-weekly salary system, which it says will bring meaningful employment opportunities.
The meeting between Mr. Bannerman and Ambassador Smith represented a shared commitment to national advancement. It reflected mutual respect for leadership, the importance of diplomatic collaboration, and a common drive to elevate Ghana’s presence in global aviation, investment, and trade.
More than a routine courtesy call, the encounter captured the spirit of partnership between the state and the private sector—an approach that holds the potential to shape Ghana’s future in aviation and international business.
Story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson