President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to soon cut the sod for the construction of a long-anticipated airport in the Upper East Region, marking a significant milestone in efforts to boost socio-economic development in the region.
The President made the announcement when members of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him. During the interaction, President Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to addressing the region’s long-standing infrastructure challenges, particularly in the area of transportation and connectivity.
According to the President, the announcement follows a successful technical inspection of the proposed airport site by a joint delegation from the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) a little over a month ago. The delegation assessed the suitability of the designated land for aviation purposes and subsequently approved it for the construction of the airport.
President Mahama disclosed that funding for the project will be drawn from the Airport Infrastructure Development Levy, a recently introduced funding mechanism aimed at supporting the expansion and development of aviation infrastructure across the country.
He assured the chiefs that the project will commence soon, emphasizing the importance of the airport to the development of the Upper East Region. “Very soon, I will come and we will invite all of you, and we will go to the site and cut the sod for the start of the construction of the airport,” the President stated.
The proposed Upper East Regional Airport is expected to enhance air connectivity, stimulate local economic activity, improve access to healthcare and education, and open up the region to increased investment and tourism.
Members of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs welcomed the announcement and expressed appreciation to the President for responding to the aspirations of the people. They reiterated their support for the project and pledged their cooperation to ensure its smooth implementation.
The airport project has been on the wish list of residents and stakeholders in the Upper East Region for years, and the President’s announcement has renewed hope that the long-awaited facility will soon become a reality.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7 FM | Maurice Duncan
