Air Ghana has teamed up with Freight Wings Ltd (FWL) of Kenya to manage the operations of the KIA Perishable Cargo Centre (PCC) under its joint venture Company: AGPC CENTRE LTD.

Air Ghana Limited was established in 1994 as a limited liability company to undertake air cargo charter operation specifically aimed at the fruit and vegetable sector and operating at Kotoka International Airport (KIA). It has developed as both a major shipper in its own right and General Sales Agent in respect of Cargo sales on behalf of: ANA Aviation/Allied Air, Cargolux, Delta Airlines, DHL Aviation, Lufthansa, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Saudia.

Freight Wings Ltd (FWL), A leading Kenyan perishables shipper brings into this partnership many years of experience in PCC handling and shipping of perishables to the high quality conscious UK and Mainland European retail markets.

The PCC was established to serve as an improved post-harvest facility to ensure the creation of an integrated cold chain at KIA for horticultural products thereby enhancing product quality of exports to realize higher prices at the export market.

FWL is part of Vegpro Group the largest grower, packer and exporter of vegetables and flowers in Kenya. FWL was incorporated in 1991 and has since that time grown to be the third largest perishable air cargo agent in Kenya. FWL deals solely with perishable horticultural products and currently ships over 450 tones per week.

The Perishable Cargo Centre in Ghana was built under the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Program with funds from United States of America through Millennium Challenge corporation (MCC) managed by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).

The facility was opened on 15th February 2012 by the Late President John Atta-Mills represented by the Minister of Trade and Minister of Food and Agriculture and handed over to the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL).

AGPC Centre Ltd, tendered and won the contract to manage and operate the facility for GACL and applied for the necessary permission to install its own X-ray unit from the Ghana National Security Council.

AGPC CENTRE LTD broad strategy is to attract farmers/exporters and airlines to utilize the facility. Strategies that will be pursued include: 1. Advertising the services provided by the PCC to key stakeholders in the horticultural sub-sector such as SPEG, HAG, GAVEX, VEPEAG, Golden Exotics, Blue Skies and other independent exporters of perishables and agents. 2. Direct marketing to airline’s highlighting the benefits of maintaining the cold chain and JIT delivery to the aircraft DIRECT form this new secure X-RAY approved centre.

AGPC CENTRE LTD maintains constant interactions and collaboration with the key stakeholders at the airport at all times to help accomplish the objectives set out for the establishment of the PCC. Key stakeholders identified at KIA include Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, Aviation Security, Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), National Security, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), exporters and framers of horticultural and perishable produce.

FWL are currently developing 1000 hectors of farmland near the Kpone dam for the production of vegetables with first harvesting anticipated early 2013.