ECOWAS Challenges Ghana Over New Airport Taxes
Regional bloc warns levies could raise travel costs and weaken West Africa’s aviation sector
- ECOWAS says Ghana’s new airport charges violate a regional agreement to cut air travel costs.
- New levies include an $18 security fee and a $100 infrastructure charge on international tickets.
- Bloc warns higher taxes could reduce passenger demand and shift traffic to competing hubs.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly criticised Ghana over newly introduced airport-related charges, warning that the move could harm the region’s aviation sector.
In a formal communication signed by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, the regional bloc argued that Ghana’s decision runs counter to a binding agreement aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across member states.
The agreement, captured under Supplementary Act A/SA.2/12/24, required countries to eliminate several aviation-related taxes—including ticket, tourism, solidarity and overseas travel levies—starting January 2026. It also called for reductions in charges such as passenger service and security fees to make flights more affordable and strengthen regional integration.
However, ECOWAS says Ghana has instead introduced new costs. These include an $18 security charge on return tickets implemented in February 2026, as well as a $100 Airport Infrastructure Development Levy on international return travel introduced in April by the Ghana Airports Company Limited.
According to the Commission, these measures contradict both the letter and intent of the regional agreement, as well as global aviation guidelines that discourage excessive taxation in the sector.
ECOWAS warned that the additional charges could further increase the cost of flying, making air travel less accessible for passengers already affected by high fuel prices. It cautioned that rather than boosting demand, such policies risk suppressing passenger numbers and slowing the growth of the aviation industry in West Africa.
The Commission also highlighted weak passenger traffic trends across key regional hubs such as Accra, Lagos, Abidjan and Dakar, attributing the situation largely to high taxes and fees despite strong population-driven demand.
It further warned that continued reliance on such charges could push airlines and travellers toward alternative hubs outside the region, undermining West Africa’s competitiveness.
ECOWAS has called on Ghana to immediately suspend the new levies and align with the agreed reforms. It also encouraged the government to consider alternative ways of financing aviation infrastructure, including partnerships with the private sector and support from development finance institutions.
The matter is expected to be reviewed at upcoming regional meetings, where ECOWAS plans to present an update on how member states are implementing the agreed aviation reforms.
