Ghanaian authorities will soon announce the preferred bidder for the nation’s new national carrier, according to unnamed well-placed sources cited by Aviation Ghana.

The bidders reportedly include startup AL!9CU; the Ghanaian management consultancy and brokerage JNH Group; Ethiopian Airlines; and EgyptAir.

Their proposals to partner with the Ghanaian government to establish a new national airline are being vetted by a special committee appointed by the transport ministry. The task team will make recommendations to Transport Minister Kweku Ofori Asiamah, who, for his part, will make the final recommendation to the Ghanaian Cabinet.

Ashanti Airlines appears to be the front-runner in the contest. “From the look of things, they are very likely to get it,” a source close to the project told Aviation Ghana.

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ministry of Transport did not immediately respond to requests for more information.

Ashanti Airlines has already acquired an Air Carrier Licence (ACL) and is nearing the completion of its Air Operators Certificate (AOC). It is owned by Ghanaian business mogul and co-founder of the Despite Group of Companies, Osei Kwame Despite, and his business partner, Ernest Ofori Sarpong. They own the most prominent media group in Ghana and several financial, food and beverage businesses.

Ghana previously signed separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with both Ethiopian Airlines and Egypt Air in attempts to revive a national carrier, which yet has to realise anything tangible.

Previous flag carriers Ghana International Airlines (Accra) and Ghana Airways (Accra) folded in 2010 and 2004, respectively.