Air transport in Ghana: some climatic constraints

Abstract

Understanding a definite geographic context is essential for effective air transport management. To date, the consequences of changing weather conditions and climate on the transportation sector in Ghana has been grievous to the economy of the country. Unfortunately, the impact of climate change on the aviation industry has received very little attention in Ghanaian literature. Meanwhile, it is widely known that transport systems on the whole perform poorly under adverse weather and climatic conditions. This paper seeks to reflect a growing orientation in research and philosophy in the field of air transport and severe weather and climatic constraints. Understanding under-lying principles of climatic conditions and weather is essential to air navigation in Ghana. Clear air turbulence, ceiling and visibility, thunderstorms, electrical phenomenon, climate-induced seasonal variations, and vegetation are some of the threats to air transport across Ghana's airspace. Information is derived from literature surveys, workplace counts, and an aviation researcher. Overall, large information technology investments, consolidation, and re-structuring are all major issues that must be addressed by stakeholders ambitious to stay afloat and competitive in Ghana's airspace.

First published online: 02 Oct 2012