Aviation boom: 10 new aircraft, pilot school and maintenance hub coming to Ho
Ghana's aviation sector is about to take off in a big way. Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, has announced a major expansion that will bring 10 new large aircraft to the country, along with a pilot training school and an aircraft maintenance facility in Ho. The goal is simple: to inspire a new generation of Ghanaian youth to reach for the skies, both as pilots and as entrepreneurs.
The announcement came during the 2026 Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Day, an event held as part of the annual Yam Festival. Togbe Afede, who leads Strategic Initiatives Limited, described the company as being “in the business of creating businesses.” The aviation projects are just the latest in a portfolio that spans banking, energy and now aerospace.
What does the aviation expansion include?
Africa Airlines, which is part of the Strategic Initiatives group, is set to receive the first of 10 new large aircraft by September 15, 2026. Before that, on August 31, the airline will resume flights to Abidjan, a route that was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I'm happy to announce that the expansion that we had to postpone because of COVID is commencing right now,” Togbe Afede said. “On the 31st of August, we shall restore our flights to Abidjan. By the middle of September, we have the first of 10 large aircraft we plan to acquire.”
Beyond the aircraft, two major training facilities are in the works in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region:
- A pilot training school to prepare young Ghanaians for careers in the cockpit
- An aircraft maintenance facility to build technical expertise on the ground
These facilities are designed to create jobs and give local youth a clear pathway into the aviation and aerospace sectors, which are often seen as out of reach for many.
Why is this important for Ghana's youth?
Togbe Afede made it clear that the initiative is about more than just business. It is about changing mindsets. He urged young people, who make up the majority of Ghana's population, to stop seeing themselves only as job seekers and to start seeing themselves as job creators.
“I'm saying this to inspire all of you that you all can do it,” he told the audience, drawing on his own journey from humble beginnings to becoming a major entrepreneur.
His story is a powerful one. He attended Kpedze Secondary School and fetched water from a stream as a child, yet he went on to build businesses in banking, energy and aviation. He cited the establishment of an independent power producer as an example of a venture that required courage and a willingness to learn from scratch.
“Personally, I like impact. To do great things, to do things that make life better for the people. When you do that, and do it successfully, money will come.”
How will the youth empowerment program work?
The Asogli Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship initiative is designed to support young people socially, politically and economically. It aims to nurture confidence, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit needed for national development.
Togbe Afede had a simple challenge for the young people in attendance: bring the same energy you show on the dance floor to your work and studies.
“Let's take the same passion to our work. The same passion will excel, I promise you,” he said.
What does this mean for Africa's development?
The move fits into a broader vision of African self-reliance and economic growth. By building local capacity in aviation, Ghana is positioning itself as a regional hub for aerospace training and maintenance. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment that can keep talent on the continent and attract international partners.
Togbe Afede also called for an education system that liberates the mind, encourages critical thinking and helps young people identify opportunities. He urged them to believe in their own abilities and to avoid excessive dependence on superstition, while still recognising the importance of faith.
What can young entrepreneurs learn from this?
For young Ghanaians looking to make their mark, the message is clear: you don't need to start with vast resources or years of experience. You need courage, a willingness to learn and the determination to solve real problems.
Africa's development, Togbe Afede argued, depends on young people who are prepared to become agents of change. The aviation expansion is a concrete example of how that change can be built, one aircraft, one training school and one new business at a time.