President John Dramani Mahama has inspected the proposed site for the construction of the Upper East Regional Airport as part of his “Resetting Ghana Tour”, assuring residents that the long-awaited project will soon move into the construction phase.
President Mahama expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers of the Upper East Region for donating the parcel of land for the project, describing the airport as a major catalyst for economic transformation.
“The project is not going to consist only of an airport. We want to develop a city around the airport so that the facility can generate added value and stimulate economic activity,” President Mahama said.
He explained that the airport forms part of efforts to expand air connectivity across Ghana and reduce the considerable travel time currently required by residents of the region who need to fly to Accra.
According to the President, passengers from the Upper East currently have to travel approximately 160 kilometres to Tamale to access air transport before flying to Accra, and undertake the same journey on their return.
“You cannot sit in a bus for 11 hours going to Accra and another 11 hours coming back. The time has therefore come for the Upper East Region to have its own airport,” he stated.
President Mahama said the completion of the project would make it possible for residents to fly directly from the Upper East to Accra, eliminating the need to travel to Tamale to catch a flight.
He further highlighted the airport’s potential to support businesses and industries in the region, particularly the mining sector.
“We have gold mines that have to move their gold down to Accra. Sometimes they have to use bullion vans or charter helicopters to transport the gold. With the airport here, it will be easier for them to bring the gold to the airport and fly the gold bullion directly to Accra.”
The President said the airport would also make the Upper East Region more attractive to investors seeking to establish industries, noting that investors require efficient transportation links between their businesses and Accra.
“Nobody wants to drive 11 hours to come to a factory in the Upper East Region and then spend another 11 hours driving back to Accra,” he said.
President Mahama disclosed that the project is expected to have a 24-month contractual completion period, although the contractors have indicated that they could finish earlier.
He said he had been closely following the procurement process and would push for the project to commence as quickly as possible.
The President also revealed that the government is pursuing airport projects in Wa, the Upper East Region and Sunyani, with the expectation that the Upper East project would reach the sod-cutting stage before the end of the year.
“We hope that by the end of the year, we will return here to cut the sod for the construction of the airport,” he said.
President Mahama said the proposed airport has been designed to be scalable, beginning with an estimated capacity of 100,000 passengers but allowing for future expansion as demand grows.
He expressed confidence that passenger numbers could exceed the initial capacity within a few years, making expansion necessary.
“I therefore believe that this airport will be a game changer for the region,” President Mahama stated.
He urged residents of the Upper East Region to patronise the facility once completed to ensure that passenger numbers grow rapidly and justify further investment in the airport.
“Very soon, you will see the contractors on site working seriously to bring this project to fruition,” President Mahama assured.
The proposed Upper East Airport is expected to improve regional connectivity, facilitate business and investment, support the movement of valuable commodities and contribute to the broader economic development of the Upper East Region.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
