The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is holding talks with the government and other stakeholders to reduce domestic air transport fares in the country.

The decision follows a 25 per cent reduction in Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), also known as aviation fuel in August this year. Presently, a litre of the product, which was sold for US$3.14, is now selling at US$2.35.

“The authority is working with other stakeholders to ensure that domestic air fares were reduced to enhance socio-economic activities in the country,”the Director-General of the GCAA, Mr Simon Allotey, told the Daily Graphic at Peduasi.

Domestic airlines are still struggling from the imposition of a 17.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on domestic air travels.

He indicated that for passengers to enjoy a rebate on air ticket fares, there should be a price adjustments on the tax composition on aviation fuel.

Going forward, he said the authority would not compromise on safety for any reason and so would continue to put in place adequate and standardised measures to guarantee the safety of all passengers.

Mr Allotey said this during a health walk championed by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority as part of the authority’s effort to promote a healthy working culture.

The walk from Ayi Mensah to the Peduase Lodge was aimed at providing a platform for workers to exercise in order to manage their weight and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Scores of staff of the GCAA participated in the walk through the zigzag road of the rocky Aburi Mountains.

While some showed endurance in reaching the end, others could not keep up and had to be helped with bus rides provided for the purpose.

The three-kilometre walk, which started from Ayi Mensah to the Peduase Lodge, was well attended as most staff members were accompanied by their families and friends.

Keeping productive workforce

Mr Allotey indicated, “A healthy workforce is a productive workforce as such the need to inculcate exercising and staying fit in order to project the company’s values.”

“It is important to keep a balance between your work and health.The GCAA is committed to ensuring that our workers are healthy because we believe a healthy mind is pivotal to productivity,” he said.

Lack of exercise, bad eating habits, coupled with alcohol abuse and smoking would increase the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases which is the major cause of death in Ghana.

To this end, he implored the staff to dedicate at least 30 minutes of their time every day to exercising and added that the authority has plans of organising similar events quarterly.

source:graphiconline.com