Ghanaian and United States–registered company Goldstar Air, a private international airline 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 secured incentives from major airports worldwide. The airline, as an economic tool, is authorized by its Licence to operate passenger and cargo flights across West Africa and intercontinental routes, is committed to excellence, safety, health, and national development. However, the proliferation of galamsey operations poses a significant threat, not only to the nation’s environment and job creation but also to the quality and safety of Goldstar Air’s inflight meals, which will depend on clean, traceable, and sustainable food sources within Ghana. Addressing this issue is vital and part of achieving the airline’s Project $1 Trillion Foreign Reserves goal.
The airline’s 24-hour strategic grand vision is projecting a fleet of more than one hundred (100) modern aircraft operating to a network of over ninety (90) key business and leisure destinations, as the airline strives to be recognized among the best one hundred (100) companies in Africa. Goldstar Air’s transformational force is inspired by the Almighty God and grounded in the scripture of Isaiah 40:31 (KJV), which assures that “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” This verse symbolizes the airline’s divine empowerment to rise above all circumstances, a truth reflected in its aircraft logos, Wings of Ghana and Belly of America. The airline has adorned its wings with vibrant colors and its underside with the powerful image of an eagle, representing strength and renewal. The verse follows Isaiah 40:29–30, which reminds that God gives power to the faint, and even the young and strong will grow tired and fall.
Goldstar Air has sought 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 complete the remaining phases of the certification process. The 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. 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’s investment in aviation training, maintenance facilities, and cargo logistics also aligns with the broader fight against galamsey. By creating alternative employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth, particularly in technical and professional aviation fields, Goldstar Air will help reduce the economic desperation that drives many young people into illegal mining. When individuals see viable and dignified alternatives to galamsey, the cycle of environmental destruction can be broken. In this sense, Goldstar Air’s job creation and capacity-building programs are not merely economic interventions; they are part of a national rescue mission aimed at preserving Ghana’s ecological and social fabric. Therefore, there is no need to delay the issuance of Goldstar Air’s Safety Certificate, which will help kickstart the 24-hour economy and create over two million direct and indirect job opportunities for Ghanaians. The Ghanaian youth cannot wait any longer in the ghettos, they need their well-paying jobs now.
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 former 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, people 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 the 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 it can deter foreign investment and tourism due to the perception 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.
The story of Ghana’s development has always been deeply intertwined with its natural environment. The nation’s lush forests, rich soils, and abundant rivers have long supported agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism, while its mineral wealth has been both a blessing and a burden. Gold, the metal that gave the country its former name, Gold Coast, remains a vital part of Ghana’s identity and economy. Yet, the dark side of this golden heritage, the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has created an environmental and economic crisis that extends far beyond mining sites. What many fail to recognize is that the impact of galamsey transcends the pits, seeping into water bodies, farmlands, food chains, and ultimately, even the skies. Ghana has 288 forest reserves of which 44 have been invaded by illegal gold miners and 9 have been liberated.
Goldstar Air’s vision is to be more than an airline; it seeks to be a symbol of Ghanaian excellence and a catalyst for socioeconomic transformation. Its inflight services, including the meals onboard, will represent the best of Ghanaian culture and hospitality. The airline’s culinary offerings are designed to provide passengers, both local and international, with an authentic taste of Ghana, using locally sourced ingredients that showcase the nation’s culinary heritage. However, the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining has introduced a silent but severe challenge to the very foundation of this initiative. The contamination of rivers, destruction of fertile farmlands, and poisoning of aquatic life caused by galamsey threaten the agricultural and aquacultural supply chains that Goldstar Air will depend upon to serve safe, nutritious, and high-quality meals to its passengers.
According to a recent national study by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), airborne mercury levels in several small-scale mining communities across Ghana have risen to alarming levels, more than global safety limits. The report, which assessed mercury and other heavy metals in mining areas across six regions, described the situation as an escalating environmental and public health emergency. At Wassa Kayianko in the Western Region, mercury vapor averaged 1.84 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), surpassing the global safety limit of 1 µg/m³ by 84 percent. The highest recorded reading was 150.2 µg/m³, indicating extreme exposure risks for residents.
Food crops such as spinach and tomatoes recorded mercury levels between 0.01 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg, which fall within WHO/FAO limits. However, the study also found lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) contamination threatening both soil and water quality. Water samples from Lake Amponsah (Western North), Asiakwa (Eastern Region), and Nyamebekyere (Western Region) contained mercury levels of up to 0.01 mg/L, ten times Ghana’s national limit. Soil samples from Konongo Zongo (Ashanti Region) contained an average of 56.4 parts per million (ppm) of mercury, exceeding the global soil guideline of 10 ppm. Other sites, including Prestea, Dakrupe, and Konongo Odumase, also showed contamination well above permissible levels. In addition, soil arsenic levels reached 10,060 ppm in some locations, more than 40 times the international guideline of 25 ppm. Therefore, the airline urges authorities to act swiftly. This is a call for urgent action to protect the health of Ghanaians and the environment.
European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, has cautioned that Ghana’s illegal mining menace poses a grave threat to the country’s agricultural exports due to mercury contamination in farm produce. He expressed deep concern about the environmental and health risks associated with illegal mining, warning that polluted agricultural products could soon face restrictions in international markets. He further stated that he would not want any consumer to receive contaminated goods or farm products, and that neither Ghanaian nor European consumers should have to eat sweet potatoes containing harmful residues. Ambassador Skinnebach reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Ghana in addressing the galamsey challenge but emphasized that lasting results will depend on strong political will and effective national coordination.
The Ghana Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced an immediate ban on the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of Changfan machines in Ghana, citing their severe environmental destruction resulting from their use in illegal mining operations within water bodies. In a statement issued on October 29, 2025, the EPA noted that the fabrication of Changfan machines is being carried out without the necessary environmental permits or authorization, in violation of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), and the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504). The fabrication, importation, and use of Changfan machines without an EPA permit are prohibited. Any workshops or shops found producing or selling these machines will be shut down, and all existing equipment will be seized and dismantled.
According to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldstar Air, Eric Bannerman, illegal mining in Ghana has reached alarming proportions over the past decade, spreading across riverbanks, forest reserves, and cocoa-growing regions. The unregulated and destructive nature of galamsey activities has left rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Offin, and Birim thick with mercury, cyanide, and other toxic chemicals used in gold extraction. These water bodies, once sources of life and livelihood for millions, have now become conduits of contamination. Farmers who once relied on these rivers for irrigation are grappling with infertile lands, while fisherfolk have experienced a drastic decline in freshwater fish stocks. This degradation directly affects food production and safety, which, in turn, influences every industry that depends on local produce, including aviation catering.
Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and belly of America inflight meal policy is to source many of its ingredients from local farmers, fisheries, and food processors, including the airline’s 24-hour industrial organic farms. Goldstar Air’s 24-hour initiatives include supporting Ghanaian agribusinesses and encouraging sustainable and organic farming methods to strengthen local economies and reduce import dependency. However, with galamsey encroaching on farmlands and water systems, the integrity of these local food sources is being compromised. Mercury contamination in rivers seeps into irrigation systems, polluting vegetables, grains, and fruits cultivated along their banks. Fish caught from polluted waters carry heavy metals that accumulate in the human body over time, posing long-term health risks. Even livestock that graze or drink from contaminated sources are not immune. For a world-class airline that adheres to international food safety standards, such contamination risks can severely affect quality assurance, brand integrity, and passenger trust.
Galamsey also undermines Ghana’s ability to maintain consistent agricultural productivity. The destruction of topsoil, deforestation, and diversion of rivers by illegal miners reduce the availability of fertile land for farming, beyond food contamination concerns. In regions such as the Western, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions, that are major agricultural and mining zones, the clash between these two land uses has become a crisis. Cocoa farms are being destroyed by miners, food crop yields are dwindling, and rural communities are losing their livelihoods. For Goldstar Air, whose operations are deeply connected to national economic progress, this represents a broader systemic risk. The airline’s vision of promoting Ghanaian products and services, including inflight cuisine that celebrates local ingredients, will become increasingly difficult to realize in an environment where food security is under threat.
Goldstar Air’s inflight catering concept is built on the idea of promoting Ghanaian culture through taste, serving dishes such as jollof rice, banku with tilapia, grilled chicken with kelewele, and tropical fruit platters that highlight the country’s agricultural bounty. Each meal served onboard Goldstar Air flights will not just be sustenance, it will be a message of pride and authenticity. It will tell the story of Ghana’s land, farmers, and culinary traditions. Yet when that land is ravaged by galamsey, when rivers turn brown with toxic waste, and when once-fertile soils lose their vitality, the narrative changes. The airline cannot sustainably offer an authentic Ghanaian dining experience if raw materials such as fresh vegetables, fish, fruits, grains, and meats become increasingly difficult to source or unsafe for consumption. Thus, the fight against illegal mining is not only an environmental or governmental issue, it is also an economic, social, and even aviation industry issue.
The environmental toll of galamsey also affects logistics and supply chains that feed into Goldstar Air’s catering ecosystem. Roads leading to farming communities have been destroyed by illegal mining, while the diversion of rivers has created impassable routes that disrupt the transportation of produce. The increased cost of sourcing uncontaminated ingredients puts financial pressure on local food processors and suppliers. For an airline that will maintain strict adherence to international catering standards, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh, safe ingredients becomes a logistical challenge. The airline’s quality control mechanisms will now include rigorous testing for contaminants such as mercury and arsenic, driving up operational costs. These ripple effects demonstrate how deeply interconnected the aviation and agricultural sectors are and how galamsey, though seemingly distant from air transport, undermines the very foundations of Ghana’s economic ecosystem.
Goldstar Air’s 24-hour strategic agenda aligns with Ghana’s broader development goals of sustainability, environmental protection, and job creation. The airline’s executives have consistently emphasized their commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to fight galamsey and restore the nation’s natural resources. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, Goldstar Air will play a vital role in promoting awareness and action against illegal mining by partnering with community-based organizations, schools, and youth groups to educate the public about the long-term consequences of environmental destruction. The airline’s public communication platforms, including inflight magazines, social media, and brand campaigns, will be leveraged to advocate for responsible mining and sustainable agriculture. This synergy between business and environmental advocacy embodies the modern corporate vision where profitability and sustainability go hand in hand.
Food safety and quality are non-negotiable for a world-class airline. Goldstar Air’s commitment to offering its passengers the best of Ghana requires ensuring that every meal is sourced, prepared, and served under the strictest standards of hygiene and sustainability. This means that the airline’s catering services will trace every ingredient to its origin and verify that it comes from farms and fisheries free from contamination. Yet this process will become increasingly complex in a country battling widespread environmental pollution from illegal mining. Without clean water, fertile soil, and healthy ecosystems, the sustainability of the nation’s food supply, and, by extension, the airline’s inflight meal quality, remains at risk. The airline’s ability to deliver a truly “Made in Ghana” culinary experience could be jeopardized by the very activities that degrade the nation’s land and water resources.
Galamsey symbolizes a national dilemma between short-term gain and long-term survival, at a deeper level. While illegal miners may profit temporarily from unregulated gold extraction, the long-term cost to agriculture, water resources, and public health is immeasurable. For companies like Goldstar Air, that will rely on a stable and sustainable Ghanaian economy, the persistence of galamsey will represent a systemic threat to growth. Every ton of polluted soil, every poisoned fish, and every destroyed cocoa farm reduces the nation’s capacity to sustain industries that depend on clean resources. This is why Goldstar Air’s corporate mission extends beyond aviation, it is about nation-building, protecting Ghana’s brand, and preserving the integrity of its natural and human capital.
Goldstar Air, the Wings of Ghana and the Belly of America recognizes that aviation cannot thrive in isolation. The airline’s 24-hour operations will depend on healthy communities, stable infrastructure, and a reliable economy, all of which are undermined by the devastation of galamsey. The destruction of forests that regulate rainfall patterns, the contamination of rivers that supply water to cities, and the degradation of farmlands that feed the nation all converge into a broader threat to national sustainability. In this context, protecting Ghana’s environment is not merely a moral obligation, it is a business imperative. Goldstar Air’s future growth, global competitiveness, and reputation depend on the health of the land that nourishes its people and its brand.
The airline’s potential involvement in promoting sustainable agricultural projects will also serve as a model for corporate environmental responsibility in Africa. Goldstar Air will partner with organic farming cooperatives, fisheries committed to sustainable practices, and rural communities working to rehabilitate degraded lands. By investing in such partnerships, the airline will not only secure safe, high-quality food sources for its inflight services but also help rebuild ecosystems destroyed by galamsey. These actions will further solidify the airline’s image as a global ambassador of Ghanaian excellence and environmental stewardship.
The threat of illegal mining is, therefore, more than a localized issue, it is a national emergency that affects every sector, from public health to aviation. Mercury poisoning from contaminated fish can travel up the food chain, reaching hotel kitchens, restaurants, and catering companies that serve travelers. If left unaddressed, it could undermine Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sectors that Goldstar Air aims to uplift through its global operations. The fight against galamsey is, therefore, a fight for the future of Ghana’s food security, tourism, and international image. For Goldstar Air, the mission to promote Ghana’s culinary and cultural heritage through its inflight meals can only succeed if the nation’s natural environment remains healthy and productive.
Mr. Bannerman emphasized that in every Goldstar Air meal served onboard lies a story, a story of Ghanaian farmers, fishermen, and food producers whose livelihoods depend on the purity of the nation’s soil and water. When galamsey pollutes rivers and kills fish, it silences part of that story. When it destroys cocoa farms and fruit plantations, it erases part of Ghana’s identity. Goldstar Air, as a proudly Ghanaian registered airline with a global vision, embodies the nation’s hope for sustainable progress. Its commitment to safety, quality, and innovation mirrors Ghana’s aspiration to become a modern, self-reliant economy. Protecting the environment from illegal mining, therefore, is not only essential for the nation’s survival but also vital for preserving the authenticity and integrity of everything the airline stands for.
The airline will collaborate with stakeholders to transform damaged water bodies and illegal mining sites across Ghana into thriving 24-hour industrial organic farms. This initiative will provide well-paying jobs for youth previously engaged in galamsey, offering them higher incomes than what they currently earn and alternative livelihoods. The project will ensure food security while empowering young people with skills and economic opportunities, serving as a viable alternative to the proposed two-year total ban on surface mining in Ghana.
Ghana’s inability to produce billionaires, despite being a leading exporter of gold and cocoa for over 100 years of exporting these products, remains concerning. It is unfortunate that this level of resource export has not translated into widespread wealth creation. Given the devastating impact of illegal mining, Ghana must shift its focus toward tourism, which contributed $10.9 Trillion to the global economy in 2024 and promote it as the country’s third-largest source of foreign exchange. However, this requires strong commitment from both tourism operators and the government to address environmental and social challenges alongside economic growth.
Goldstar Air, “the Wings of Ghana and Belly of America,” is proud to announce partnerships with several teaching hospital dialysis units, supporting them with dialysis machines and planning to replicate this support in all regional hospitals. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for individuals with kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients may remain on dialysis indefinitely or until they receive a kidney transplant. The airline expects the dialysis units to operate on a 24-hour basis to care for affected patients, including its own employees. These machines will help reduce the exorbitant cost of treatment in Ghana and bring hope to many by providing affordable care. This initiative will also enable employees and their families to access kidney transplants when needed.
Ghanaians sometimes go through severe financial distress, including selling their properties to care for relatives with kidney failure. Many families in the country have been forced to part with valuable assets accumulated over years just to cover the treatment costs of one kidney patient. Recognizing this challenge and the likely rise in kidney diseases due to contamination of natural water bodies, Goldstar Air is taking decisive action to support dialysis units across the country. The airline firmly believes that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
According to Kidney Health International, over 90% of Ghanaian kidney failure patients who desperately need dialysis are being denied access to this life-saving treatment. Dr. Elliot Koranteng Tannor and his dedicated team of caregivers have revealed alarming statistics that expose the harsh reality of the situation. In Ghana, the overall dialysis prevalence is just 38.8 patients per million population. In simpler terms, only 38.8 out of every 1 million Ghanaians receive dialysis treatment. This figure is far below both the African average of 79 per million and the global average of 296 per million, and even lower than the average for other low- and middle-income countries, which stands at 68 per million. These numbers paint a bleak picture, indicating that many Ghanaian patients in dire need of dialysis are unable to access this crucial treatment due to limited capacity at dialysis centers nationwide.
Goldstar Air’s 24-hour service has also introduced a model called “Pocket Change for Smile” to fund dialysis machines. This initiative will raise funds through donations from passengers who contribute their spare coins, whether foreign or local currency to support the program. The airline will encourage passengers to donate their spare change from international travel into designated boxes located at airport lounges, check-in counters, departure waiting areas, and onboard flights before arrival at their destinations.
The airline’s ongoing dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through Pocket Change for Smile aims to distribute dialysis machines nationwide to improve healthcare services for all kidney patients in Ghana. It will also provide quality medical care for the airline’s retired employees suffering from kidney disease. Goldstar Air remains committed to improving lives and supporting its valued workforce.
Funds raised through Pocket Change for Smile will also be used to support orphanages, supply feminine hygiene products to schoolgirls, assist communities lacking access to clean water and sanitation, and provide exercise books, test books, chairs, and desks to schools, supporting communities as their needs become known to the airline.
Goldstar Air, “the Wings of Ghana and Belly of America,” will collaborate with international organizations that share a similar vision, encouraging them to join the Pocket Change for Smile program to reach the needy worldwide through this impactful initiative. A similar partnership between UNICEF and various international airlines has already demonstrated the power of such programs. Since its launch, UNICEF’s Change for Good program has generated over $185 Million, showcasing how airlines can engage travelers, raise awareness, and demonstrate a shared commitment to social responsibility while increasing customer loyalty.
The airline, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dansoman Polyclinic, Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital, and Kaneshie Polyclinic, and will continue to support health facilities nationwide to enhance healthcare delivery for kidney patients and alleviate the financial burden on employees and their families.
Ultimately, the relationship between Goldstar Air and Ghana’s natural environment reflects a profound truth: no industry exists in isolation. The air that carries planes, the water that nourishes crops, and the soil that sustains life are all interconnected threads in the fabric of national prosperity. Galamsey threatens to unravel this fabric, leaving behind a landscape of ruin and despair. Yet, with strong corporate leadership, responsible governance, and collective national will, Ghana can restore its rivers, reclaim its lands, and rebuild its promise.
Goldstar Air’s unwavering dedication to quality, sustainability, and national development will place it at the forefront of this transformation. The airline’s inflight meals, crafted from Ghana’s finest ingredients will symbolize more than hospitality; they will embody a nation’s identity, resilience, and hope for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Illegal mining is not just an environmental problem; it is an existential threat to the soul of Ghana. It endangers the nation’s capacity to feed its people, sustain its industries, and showcase its heritage to the world. For Goldstar Air, ensuring that its passengers experience the authentic taste of Ghana means fighting, directly or indirectly, against anything that jeopardizes the purity of that experience. By supporting national and local efforts to end galamsey, promoting sustainable sourcing, and investing in green initiatives, Goldstar Air will not only be a carrier of people but also a carrier of Ghana’s vision for renewal, integrity, and pride. As the airline continues to soar across continents, it will carry not just passengers, but the story of a nation determined to rise above its challenges and protect the very resources that make it great.
Goldstar Air has collaborated with local chefs and culinary experts to develop and refine its inflight menu. This partnership ensures the authenticity of the dishes while promoting Ghanaian culinary talent on an international stage. The airline’s commitment to quality and authenticity guarantees that all dishes are prepared using traditional recipes and fresh, organic ingredients, offering passengers an authentic culinary experience at 30,000 feet above sea level.
The Volta Regional capital, Ho, will host a 24-hour Industrial Zone that will become an economic driver for agribusiness in the region. Additionally, Hajj and charter flights to and from Saudi Arabia will further expand agribusiness opportunities in Volta.
The Upper West Regional capital, Wa, will begin experiencing charter flights that will help local businesses expand and attract new investors. It will also benefit from Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Northern Regional capital, Tamale, will serve as a key hub for the airline’s universal maintenance hub, global cargo village, specialized catering services, and aviation training school. Plans are also underway to launch international flights to and from the Sahel region, in addition to Hajj flights to and from Saudi Arabia.
The Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, will initially experience direct flights to Rome, Madrid, Hamburg, London, Düsseldorf, and Milan, along with Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Finally, from the Greater Accra Region, flights will include destinations such as Washington, Dubai, Lagos, Toronto, Monrovia, Conakry, Abidjan, Guangzhou, Dakar, Banjul, Rhode Island, London, and Freetown. Pending destinations include Miami (Florida), Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), Glasgow (Scotland), Houston (Texas), and many more.
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