Ghana’s flag carrier traces its origins to the Ghanaian subsidiary of West African Airways, established in the final years of the colonial period. Although the airline was founded by the Ghanaian government, its early years also saw the participation of private capital. This mixed ownership structure remained in place until February 1961, when the government assumed full control of the company following its nationalisation.
From an early stage, the airline showed a clear interest in modernising its fleet and adopting jet aircraft. Within this context, the Fokker F-28 Fellowship emerged as an attractive option for short- and medium-haul operations. As an initial step, Ghana Airways leased two aircraft directly from the manufacturer, allowing the airline to assess their operational capabilities prior to permanent acquisition.
The first Fokker F-28s, belonging to the Mk. 2000 series, were delivered in 1974, marking a major milestone for the country’s commercial aviation sector and signalling Ghana’s entry into the jet age. The arrival of the two aircraft was celebrated with an official ceremony at Accra Airport, underlining the symbolic and operational importance of the event. Until then, Ghana Airways had relied primarily on propeller-driven aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3, the Fokker F-27 and similar types, many of which were leased from the Ghana Air Force. The introduction of the F-28 enabled the airline to modernise its fleet, gradually replacing these older aircraft with faster, more comfortable services offering greater range on domestic and regional routes.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Fokker F-28 became a central component of Ghana Airways’ domestic and regional operations. Operating from its base in Accra, the aircraft served key internal routes such as Accra–Kumasi, Accra–Tamale and Accra–Takoradi, while also supporting an extensive regional network across West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. International destinations regularly served by the type included Abidjan, Lagos, Dakar, Freetown and Monrovia, routes that were well suited to the Fellowship’s range and capacity.
On 11 March 1981, one of the airline’s Fokker F-28s, registered 9G-ACA, was involved in an accident during a training flight at Accra Airport. The aircraft made a heavy landing, suffered a collapse of the landing gear and slid along the runway before coming to a stop. Both pilots survived and there were no additional injuries, although the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair. To compensate for the loss, Ghana Airways acquired another Fokker F-28 in 1982, this time from the Mk. 4000 series, ensuring continuity in its regional operations.
The remaining Fokker F-28s remained in service until the mid-1990s, becoming an integral part of the airline’s operational history as its principal short-haul aircraft for more than two decades. In 1996, the two aircraft still in service were withdrawn and sold, bringing to a close a significant chapter in the history of Ghana Airways and in the modernisation of air transport in the country.
* msn. 11003 PH-MOL li. Nov71 - Nov74 li. Fokker.* msn. 11032 PH-ZAV li. Ago72 - Oct72 li. Fokker.* msn. 11032 PH-ZAV li. Ago73 - Sep73 li. Fokker.* msn. 11062 9G-ABZ dd. Jul74 - May96.* msn. 11077 9G-ACA dd. May74 - Mar81.* msn. 11187 9G-ADA dd. Ago82 - 1993.
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