Unique private international airline Goldstar Air, Ghanaian and United States registered company with an issued Air Carrier Licence (ACL/N-SCH No. 0239) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and no liabilities as of today, has also secured incentives from major airports worldwide. The airline, authorized by its Licence to operate passenger and cargo flights across West Africa and intercontinental routes, is leveraging aviation to create over two million direct and indirect sustainable job opportunities for Ghanaians and to achieve the airline’s Project $1 Trillion foreign reserves goal. With the introduction of its 24-hour courier service, Goldstar Air is building a logistics network that leverages speed, technology, and local manpower to deliver packages, goods, and documents efficiently across Ghana and beyond. Within this framework, Okada riders represent an ideal workforce segment: agile, experienced, and already integrated into the fabric of last-mile delivery in Ghana. By formally absorbing these riders into the airline’s courier ecosystem, Goldstar Air is providing them not only with employment but also with dignity, structure, training, and a pathway into a new phase of professional evolution.
Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and belly of America, is poised to revolutionize Ghana’s logistics industry and, in the process, create sustainable, well-structured employment opportunities for thousands of Okada riders across the country through the airline’s 24-hour unique app, phones, electric motorbikes, and vehicles. In a nation where mobility defines livelihood and commerce thrives on connectivity, the rise of motorbike riders, popularly known as Okada riders, has become a defining feature of the country’s urban and peri-urban life. These riders form an informal but indispensable component of Ghana’s logistics ecosystem, bridging the gap between speed, accessibility, and convenience. For years, Okada riders have operated at the fringes of formal employment, often struggling with instability, limited income security, and the absence of structured career growth. Okada riders have recently held protests to call for the legalization and regulation of their operations, as well as an end to harassment and extortion. The airline, with a mission to transform lives through aviation and job creation, has recognized the immense potential within this workforce.
Goldstar Air has sought for international intervention to look into the issuance of the airline’s wide-body aircraft Safety Certificate (AOC) and waiting for the outcome, as the process is above halfway and it has been over eight years that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority is not willing to authorize a qualified third party to examine and complete the remaining phases of the certification process. Completion of this certification will enable the change of the wide-body aircraft’s nationality, allowing it to be registered under the Ghana Registry (State of Registry) and for Goldstar Air to commence operations. The change of aircraft nationality or registration from one state to another is referred to as a cross-border transfer of aircraft. Once the nationality mark is selected, the State notifies the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The registration mark, assigned by the State of Registry, consists of letters, numbers, or a combination of both.
Typically, aircraft are registered in the jurisdiction where the carrier is resident or based and may enjoy preferential rights or privileges as a flag carrier for international operations. The airline is rooted in the initiative of connecting Ghana and Africa to the rest of the world through reliable, efficient, and world-class aviation services. The concept of a 24-hour Okada courier service aligns perfectly with the global logistics revolution driven by e-commerce, express shipping, and digital communication. As Ghana moves towards becoming a regional trade and business hub, the demand for fast, secure, and reliable delivery services continues to surge. Small businesses, online retailers, corporate institutions, and individuals increasingly rely on efficient courier systems to move products within hours rather than days. Therefore, there is no need to delay the issuance of Goldstar Air’s Safety Certificate, which will help kickstart the 24-hour economy. The Ghanaian youth cannot wait any longer in the ghettos; they need the airline’s universal pay structure and biweekly well-paying jobs now.
The July 2025 edition of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Quarterly Labor Statistics revealed an “entrenched” long-term unemployment situation in Ghana. Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu said the situation has trapped thousands in prolonged joblessness. The report indicated a slight drop in the average unemployment rate to 13.6 percent in 2024, from 14.6 percent the previous year, noting that despite the marginal growth in employment, “too many jobs remain informal and insecure.” “The data reveals that the challenge remains most pronounced among the youth, with 22.5 percent of Ghanaians aged 15 to 35 currently unemployed, underscoring persistent pressures on first-time jobseekers and graduates despite the broader gains in employment,” the GSS added. Despite expanding opportunities, there are weaknesses in job quality and the economy’s ability to absorb new entrants quickly. Gender dimensions also emerged in the report, indicating that female employment consistently exceeded male employment throughout the fourth quarter of 2024, as the employment gap between males and females increased to over 1.1 million, from 632,000 in the first quarter of 2022.
Mr. Iddrisu urged the government to scale up apprenticeship and graduate employment schemes, and job placement services, while reforming and expanding technical and vocational education and training to match training with demand, especially in digital, industrial, and green economy sectors. Small businesses, especially those owned by women and young people, also need affordable credit to boost job creation. Earlier in August, the ninth World Bank Economic Update for Ghana, titled “Addressing Labor Market Challenges and Opportunities in Ghana’s Economic Landscape,” called on Ghana to focus ongoing structural reforms on private-led growth and job creation to absorb the growing youthful population. Goldstar Air is glad that, during the 2026 budget presentation to Parliament, the requests the airline made to the Ghana Airport Company Limited for the leasing of Accra Airport Terminal 2, to upgrade it and use it for international flights, build a multi-storey car park, construct a skybridge with a travelator connecting Terminals 2 and 3, and other facilities, have been captured in the budget to create more employment for the youth.
The recruitment exercise for service personnel held on November 12, 2025, at the Elwak Sports Stadium in Accra, where six people lost their lives and many others were injured, and a similar incident at the Kumasi Sports Stadium, where five recruits sustained severe injuries, sparked a debate on the floor of Parliament. The immediate past Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bimbilla Constituency, Dominic Nitiwul, stated that the country faces a serious unemployment crisis, and the earlier the political class and leaders of the nation do something about it, the better it will be for everyone. He emphasized that, unlike in other parts of the world where it is difficult to get people to serve in the military, as in the United States, where individuals often have to be persuaded to join, but in Ghana, young men and women are rushing to serve in the military. He added that he is unsure whether this is driven by patriotism or simply by the urgent need for employment, but leans toward the latter, as people want to survive and want jobs. Goldstar Air offers its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
Hon. Nitiwul further stated, “Mr. Speaker, I can say that we have a major problem with unemployment, especially among the teeming youth between the ages of 21 and 25 years who have completed school. If we do not do something about this situation, Mr. Speaker, this nation called Ghana may one day regret it. I do not know when, but I can say it is better and easier for the political class to come together, think together, work together, and find an immediate solution.” Goldstar Air has the solution for unemployment and underemployment in Ghana and has previously indicated it to Ghana’s Parliament. The airline also believes that unemployment causes the economy to suffer from a loss of productivity and potential and can deter foreign investment and tourism due to perceptions of instability. A large number of unemployed or underemployed youth represents a significant waste of human potential and can lead to long-term negative consequences for the nation’s future. Furthermore, this situation contributes to the growing unrest and illegal gold mining activities (galamsey) in various parts of Ghana, and by the airline creating well-paying jobs for Okada riders, It will help solve part of the unemployment problem.
The airline’s 24-hour service will make a significant contribution to addressing Ghana’s unemployment situation, as Goldstar Air is determined to create more job opportunities in courier services. All 275 constituencies across Ghana’s sixteen regions will benefit enormously from the courier services. The airline is currently negotiating with the head of Ghana Post for a partnership aimed at providing innovative and rewarding opportunities for advancement. This partnership will enable the two companies to be more competitive and offer better services to customers, resulting in a win-win situation.
Goldstar Air’s partnership with Ghana Post aims to emulate the strategy of the United States Postal Service, which had 525,469 career employees and 114,623 non-career employees as of 2023. The United States Postal Service generated revenue of $19.8 billion in the most recently reported quarter. Together with Ghana Post, Goldstar Air aims to create, build, and take ownership of its endeavors, whether developing new technology in-house, launching comprehensive fulfillment centers, or constantly creating ideas, services, and products that enhance the lives of millions of customers. This includes offering pickup and delivery services directly to about 360 Ghana Post outlets, with stop-by-stop tracking available 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
United States courier and cargo industry generated a total of approximately $2.3 Trillion in business logistics costs in 2023. The parcel sector alone generated over $200 Billion in revenue, Therefore, Goldstar Air aims to position Ghana to follow a similar path. The airline’s courier service business plan is an extension of Goldstar Air’s cargo department and will follow the operational model of the second-largest private employer and largest warehouse operator in the United States, which has 1,541,000 employees and a massive distribution network with reported profits of $30 billion in 2023. Goldstar Air will also provide packing services, which will help businesses save time and money at discounted rates. Trained staff understand how to pack items properly, ensuring that fees cover necessary specifications and packaging requirements. When customers wish to pack their own items, the airline’s customer support team will advise them on the best methods to keep items safe during transit.
According to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldstar Air, Eric Bannerman, the courier service initiative marks a turning point for the Okada industry. For years, motorbike riders have often been stigmatized, associated with risk and informality despite their undeniable contribution to urban mobility. Many young Ghanaians have turned to passenger Okada service as a means of survival due to limited formal job opportunities. While their work has been instrumental in reducing transportation challenges, it has often been characterized by low wages, harassment, lack of social security, and exposure to road hazards. Goldstar Air’s courier integration program offers a new paradigm, transforming Okada services from an informal hustle into a structured profession. The airline will introduce comprehensive training programs covering road safety, customer service, package handling, route optimization, and digital literacy. This holistic approach will ensure that every rider becomes not just a courier but an ambassador of reliability, discipline, and professionalism under the Goldstar brand.
Goldstar Air’s 24-hour Okada riders and drivers will undergo background checks by the Ghana Police Service, certification, and training from the airline’s security department. Airports are busy places with heightened security, controlled access points, unpredictable traffic patterns, and specific regulations governing the pickup and delivery of items. Therefore, when sending parcels to, from, or within Ghana, it will be vital to use the Goldstar Air courier service via its unique app. This initiative will also address the frequent arrests of Okada riders.
Goldstar Air will be collaborating with the Ghana Armed Forces for safety and security on board the airline’s aircraft. In compliance with the directive, Wing Commander Kwame Asare-Boateng was directed to meet with officials of Goldstar Air to discuss the modalities for both the selection and training of the Marshals. The meeting addressed the need to provide specialized training for the nominated Marshals. The candidates must be highly disciplined, well-mannered, possess appreciable height, and have a good physical appearance. Soldiers with proficiency in the French language would have an added advantage. The training will be conducted by the 64 Infantry Regiment. The airline agreed that the Ghana Air Force Marshals’ office would be headquartered at Air Force Headquarters, with office accommodation provided. Goldstar Air will supply the Marshals with office equipment such as desktop computers, tables, chairs, internet facilities, and all items required to furnish a modern office to ensure smooth operations.
The airline has initiated a bold step toward combating corruption with its 24-hour courier service and a rigorous attitude test for all employees, including the Okada riders. Goldstar Air will offer dollar-based equivalent pay in Ghana to attract the best talent, and the airline is committed to weeding out any bad apples. This initiative aligns with a video message from the former President of Ghana, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, on TV3, an Accra-based television station, during the National Dialogue on Lifestyle Audit, which highlighted on corruption. He stated that corruption is a condition that has existed for a long time, but we must tackle this challenge head-on by paying people well, so they are not forced to seek illicit “top-ups.” In his view, the nation has struggled because it has not taken the time to properly study the issue in order to identify what drives it and why it continues to grow. He further added that this is why we must drive private sector growth and empower entrepreneurs. Goldstar Air is committed to transparency and accountability. The airline’s goal is to create a brighter future for Ghanaian youth, and the employment of Okada riders will be part of this transformation.
Goldstar Air has signed an agreement with an Aviation and Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing company and will introduce electric vehicles (EVs) and electric motorbikes (Okada) for its courier services, reducing carbon emissions and operating costs. Goldstar Air will also distribute and install electric chargers at strategic locations, including all airports in Ghana, malls, rest stops, filling stations, and even private homes, to enable the fleet to operate consistently.
Electric bikes, or e-bikes (Okada), have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their convenience, sustainability, and health benefits. One of the main components of an e-bike is the battery, which powers the electric motor and allows the bike to function. Goldstar Air will provide electric charging machines at strategic points across the country for both the airline’s courier service e-bikes and the public, for the e-bikes to operate efficiently, because without a charged battery, the e-bikes would not be able to go very far.
Goldstar Air will adopt a universal pay structure with payday every other week (biweekly), standardizing a single schedule across all locations. The airline will also consolidate most sales worldwide to the central bank before proceeding with payments, while the remainder will serve as a backup for the country’s reserves, helping avoid future reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Goldstar Air’s employee initiatives will include several months’ salary savings for each junior staff member, enabling them to purchase imported used cars and improve commuting for work, ensuring high-level operations and quality service delivery. Employees who also earn per diem can save and buy their personal motorbikes to reduce commute times. The biweekly pay schedule also facilitates debt reduction and savings. Employees can later acquire additional vehicles for family members within a short period. Goldstar Air will also assist employees who wish to own estate houses or apartments by providing guarantees and deducting monthly payments directly from their salaries. These initiatives will also boost sales for car dealers and real estate agents in Ghana, contributing to indirect job creation. Airlines are all about customer service, and Goldstar Air emphasizes taking care of its employees
The airline’s 24-hour service represents a model for economic empowerment beyond job creation. The aviation sector traditionally employs a specialized workforce, pilots, engineers, cabin crew, and administrative staff, but Goldstar Air is expanding this definition by integrating local industries and informal labor into its ecosystem. The airline’s 24-hour courier service will generate direct and indirect jobs for thousands of riders, dispatch officers, logistics coordinators, and technology developers. Each Okada rider employed by Goldstar Air will receive steady income, safety gear, branding, and technological support through digital tracking systems and route management applications. By formalizing their operations, the airline will provide these riders with access to financial inclusion, savings schemes, insurance, and long-term career growth opportunities previously out of reach.
The introduction of Goldstar Air’s courier service is not merely a business expansion; it is a socio-economic intervention. It will address the issue of youth unemployment, which remains one of Ghana’s pressing challenges. Ghana Statistical Service data show that a significant percentage of the country’s working-age population operates within the informal economy. Many of these individuals, particularly youth, depend on self-employment ventures like Okada riding. Goldstar Air’s 24-hour service will channel its energy and experience into a formal, sustainable, and productive system. By offering structured employment, the airline will provide young people with purpose, stability, and the opportunity to contribute to a larger national transformation agenda.
The courier service is also designed to be technologically advanced. Goldstar Air, the Wings of Ghana and Belly of America, envisions a digital platform connecting customers, riders, and logistics hubs in real-time. Through mobile applications, customers can schedule pickups, track deliveries, and make payments seamlessly. Riders will be equipped with smartphones and GPS systems, ensuring transparency and accountability. Each package will be digitally registered and tracked through Goldstar Air’s logistics system, integrating ground deliveries with air cargo operations. This approach will increase efficiency and enhances trust among clients who value security and precision. The digital backbone will ensure riders become part of a modern, data-driven logistics ecosystem aligned with global best practices.
The synergy between Goldstar Air’s aviation and courier services reflects strategic vision. While airlines typically focus on passenger and cargo operations, few extend their influence to domestic courier logistics. Goldstar Air’s 24-hour courier network will complement its cargo operations by ensuring that goods transported by air are swiftly distributed on land without delay. This end-to-end logistics model will strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in global trade, positioning the country as a reliable hub for express freight and regional distribution. As businesses expand their online presence, from local artisans to multinational corporations, the need for reliable delivery partners will grow. Goldstar Air’s courier service will serve as a bridge between Ghana’s airspace and its marketplaces, accelerating commerce and fostering national development.
Mr. Bannerman emphasized that the social benefits of this 24-hour courier service initiative ripple far beyond the riders themselves. When Okada riders gain steady employment under a reputable brand, their families and communities will benefit. Children will be able to stay in school, healthcare will become more accessible, and local economies will thrive through increased spending. The sense of pride and belonging that will come with being part of a respected brand like Goldstar Air will instill motivation, discipline, and hope. Riders who once faced daily uncertainty will now see a career path, a ladder to climb rather than a road to survive. This transformation will contribute to social stability and reduce poverty, crime, and other socioeconomic challenges associated with unemployment.
The airline’s 24-hour courier service will support Ghana’s long-term vision of industrialization and job creation at an economic policy level. The initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to formalize the informal sector, promote local entrepreneurship, and improve logistics infrastructure. It will also contribute to the broader African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals by facilitating efficient intra-African trade logistics. As Ghana hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat, initiatives like this underscore the country’s readiness to serve as a continental logistics hub. By integrating aviation and ground transport, Goldstar Air is creating a model that could be replicated across Africa, demonstrating how indigenous companies can drive inclusive growth through innovation and social responsibility.
Goldstar Air’s relationship with Okada riders will not merely be transactional; it will be transformational. The airline envisions a partnership built on mutual respect and shared prosperity. Riders who join the courier service will undergo continuous capacity development, gaining skills that extend beyond delivery services. They will receive training in financial management, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, empowering them to grow within or beyond the system. Goldstar Air understands that job creation is not just about employment; it is about empowerment, mentorship, and equipping individuals with tools to shape their futures. By investing in people, the airline is investing in the nation’s future workforce and leadership.
The ripple effect of this initiative will be profound. As the courier service expands, new layers of economic activity will emerge. Small businesses will gain faster access to delivery services, e-commerce will flourish, and rural farmers will be able to transport perishable goods more efficiently. Each delivery completed by a Goldstar Air courier will strengthen the backbone of Ghana’s domestic and international trade networks. The efficiency gained through this service will boost productivity across multiple sectors, including retail, healthcare, banking, education, and agriculture, by ensuring that goods and documents move swiftly and securely.
The heart of this endeavor lies Goldstar Air’s unwavering commitment to nation-building. The airline’s founders have consistently emphasized that their goal is not merely to operate flights but to transform lives. Every project undertaken by the company is designed to generate employment, develop skills, and enhance Ghana’s global reputation. The 24-hour courier service is an extension of this philosophy, a way of ensuring that the benefits of aviation extend to the grassroots. It will connect the skies to the streets, the formal to the informal, and the global to the local. Through this initiative, Goldstar Air is proving that aviation can be a catalyst for inclusive economic transformation.
The integration of Okada riders into a national courier framework will also enhance social cohesion. It will demonstrate that every sector of society, regardless of background or education, has a role to play in Ghana’s progress. Riders who were once marginalized will now proudly wear the Goldstar Air uniform and serve as ambassadors of national pride. This redefinition of the Okada profession will change public perception, transforming it from a symbol of survival into one of service and contribution. In a society where job security is often elusive, the assurance of steady work under a credible organization will provide psychological stability and hope.
Goldstar Air’s courier network will evolve into a critical pillar of Ghana’s logistics infrastructure in the long term. With dedicated hubs at airports, regional centers, and urban delivery points, the airline will establish a nationwide presence that supports both domestic and international operations. Riders will operate in coordination with delivery vans and air cargo systems, creating an integrated logistics chain unmatched in speed and reliability. This ecosystem will position Goldstar Air not just as a passenger carrier but as a comprehensive logistics provider, connecting businesses, individuals, and institutions across the country with unmatched efficiency.
The airline’s 24-hour courier service symbolizes innovation grounded in compassion. It reflects an understanding of Ghana’s socio-economic realities and a willingness to design solutions that are both practical and transformative. For the Okada riders, it offers a bridge from uncertainty to opportunity. For businesses, it provides a logistics solution that is efficient, secure, and reliable. For the nation, it embodies a vision of inclusive development, where progress is shared, and every citizen has a stake in the country’s success.
The transformation that Goldstar Air seeks to achieve through this initiative is far-reaching. It challenges stereotypes, reshapes industries, and redefines what it means to be an airline in the modern era. By turning Okada riders into logistics professionals, the airline is not only solving a transportation challenge but also rewriting the narrative of youth employment in Ghana. It will prove that innovation is not just about technology; it is about people, vision, and the courage to reimagine what’s possible.
Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and belly of America 24-hour service vision transcends traditional aviation boundaries. Goldstar Air’s business philosophy is rooted in the idea that an airline should not only connect destinations but also transform the economic landscape of its home country. When the labor force gains more human capital, including skills and general knowledge, producers gain the tools to create more goods and provide more services. When people trade their money for goods and services, a mutually beneficial exchange occurs, and when multiplied across the entire economy, it increases growth and well-being.
Thousands of Okada riders will find themselves part of something bigger than they ever imagined, as the 24-hour courier service unfolds. They will carry more than parcels; they will carry the dreams, hopes, and trust of a nation on the move. They will deliver not only packages but also progress. And every time a Goldstar Air courier zips through the streets of Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, Takoradi, Tamale or other regional capitals, they will be writing a new chapter in Ghana’s story, a chapter of empowerment, pride, and transformation driven by the wings of a homegrown airline committed to taking Ghana to the world and bringing the world to Ghana.
The airline is equipped with a cargo fleet and international logistics expertise and is perfectly positioned to bridge the gap between air cargo and ground delivery through a network that operates seamlessly across air and land. In this system, Okada riders will play the crucial role of ensuring last-mile efficiency, delivering parcels directly from airports or logistics hubs to customers’ doorsteps with unmatched speed and accuracy. Goldstar Air represents the story of a bold venture stepping onto the stage of global competition with the determination to compete not as a regional player but as a global entity, to achieve the airline’s Project $1 Trillion Foreign Reserves goal and be recognized among the top 100 companies in Africa.
Goldstar Air’s 24-hour initiative is more than a job creation scheme; it is a movement of national reset. It embodies the belief that every Ghanaian, from pilots to motorbike riders, has a role in the nation’s ascent. It demonstrates that progress is not confined to the skies but begins on the ground, in the everyday lives of ordinary citizens who dare to dream. Through its 24-hour courier service, Goldstar Air is proving that with vision, innovation, and compassion, even the humblest professions can be elevated to global standards. This is not just about deliveries; it is about destiny. It is about creating a future where opportunity rides on two wheels, guided by the unwavering spirit of Ghanaian excellence, and propelled by the wings and belly of Goldstar Air.
Economic developers consider airlines vital to generating local and national economic growth. The Ho Industrial Zone’s viability will be an economic generator for the Volta Region and Ghana. Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will open more doors to Volta and Upper West regional capitals, as connecting rural and smaller communities to global commerce helps businesses expand and attracts new companies to the area.
Tamale will serve as a pivotal hub for the airline’s universal maintenance base, global cargo village, unique catering services, and training school, and plans are underway to operate international passenger flights to and from the Sahel region as well as Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Goldstar Air will initially operate flights from Kumasi to Rome, Madrid, Hamburg, London, Dusseldorf, Milan, and Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Flights from Accra will include destinations such as Washington, Dubai, Lagos, Toronto, Monrovia, Conakry, Abidjan, Guangzhou, Dakar, Banjul, Rhode Island, London, and Freetown, with pending cities such as Miami (Florida), Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), Glasgow (Scotland), Houston (Texas), and many more.
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