Ghana to upgrade airports to international standards

Ghana president John Dramani Mahama has announced that the country will expand the capacity of the country's existing airports and build three new airports, in order to make air travel more accessible for citizens.

The new airports would be built at Ho, Bolgatanga and Cape Coast while the existing Tamale and Kumasi Airports will be upgraded to international status.

"Currently, the Kotoka International Airport alone is handling more than two million passengers a year," said Mahama.

"Tamale has grown very quickly from zero to almost 200,000 passengers a year. Kumasi Airport is handling about 400,000 passengers a year and these numbers continue to climb. So it is important that we improve the infrastructure in order to accommodate the growing number of passengers."

The first phase of the Tamale Airport expansion will include the construction of a new 4,000m runway, which will be able to accommodate any large commercial aircraft. It would also have a modern navigation system so that aircraft can land at all times of the year.

Speaking about the airport expansion, Mahama added: "With the upgrading of the Tamale Airport, our vision is that the facility to allow for export of agro-products will also be widened. So that farmers who go into fruits and vegetable production can have their produce airlifted directly from Tamale to the European markets.

"If we complete Tamale Airport, it should be possible for tourists to fly directly to Tamale and visit these tourist attractions without having to go to Accra first."

Tamale Airport will also facilitate the operation of direct flights for the Hajj without going through Accra.

Apart from Tamale, upgraded facilities would be built at the Kumasi Airport to have three international terminals, while Takoradi and Wa Airports would also be provided with permanent terminals.