President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday commissioned Phase I of the Sunyani Airport rehabilitation project.
The President said the rehabilitation of the facility was in line with his government’s policy to provide a functional air travel infrastructure, enhance the development of the nation’s Middle Belt, expand the growth of agriculture and general business, and promote industrial transformation.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo disclosed that the contract was awarded to Messrs Resource Access Limited to commence works on the rehabilitation project, which began in 2019 at a cost of GH₵52,253,733.69.
He disclosed that the scope of works included the rehabilitation and expansion of the runway from 1,280metres to 1,400metres, repair of the apron to accommodate small to medium size aircraft, minimum renovation of the terminal building, and construction of some airport internal roads.
“I am happy to inform you that there are projects currently ongoing in our nation’s aviation sector which will open up our country even further. They are Phases II & III of the Kumasi Airport project, which are presently 93% complete, and Phase II of Tamale Airport, which is 95% complete,” the President revealed.
Vision
President Akufo-Addo said the Sunyani Airport is a critical part of the government’s vision to expand the frontiers of the aviation industry in the country, and to realise the dream of making Ghana the aviation hub in West Africa.
“The inception of the Sunyani Airport dates back to the Second World War in 1942, when it was used as an airstrip for the Allied Forces. In 1969, the then far-sighted Busia government, realising the need for an airport in Sunyani, initiated construction work to convert the airstrip into an airport.
“This was completed and officially opened on July 13, 1974 by Colonel P. K. Agyekum, the then Commissioner of Transport and Communication. For an airport of such rich history to be allowed to deteriorate and be temporarily shut down in March 2016 was in bad taste, and that is why, in the run-up to the December 2016 general election, I promised to do something about it,” he said.
“With these, after today’s event, the airport is now open for business. I assure the residents of Sunyani that this project is a sign of greater things to come for Sunyani and the Bono Region and, indeed, to the whole nation,” he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the development of all parts of Ghana, saying “it be done without absolute discrimination, and these include the rehabilitation of bad roads in the Bono Region”.
“I know that the roads are so dear to you and, I will tell you, they are also dear to me. But, I assure you that before I end my term of office as President, you will witness my handiwork in Bono Region,” he assured.
Encroachers
Touching on the widespread encroachment of airport lands, the President warned encroachers across the country to desist from such activities.
The encroachment phenomenon, he noted, threatens the future expansion of the aviation industry in the country and, therefore, must be stopped.
To this end, the President charged the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), as well as the Lands Commission and traditional rulers, to be up and doing and ensure that lands belonging to the airports are well protected.
“The operators and regulators of our airports, as well as Lands Commission and Nananom, need to sit up and ensure that lands belonging to the airports are managed properly and duly protected not only for future projects of expansion but also for safeguarding lives and property,” he underscored.
Gov’t commitment
The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, said the commissioning of the facility was another demonstration of the government’s commitment to fulfilling its vision of expanding the aviation industry in Ghana.
The Sunyani Airport, he noted, had received certification from the GCAA, the regulator of the aviation industry in Ghana, to resume operations, having concluded all inspection works on the project.
He said the Ministry of Transport is committed and willing to continue to pursue strategies to make Ghana the aviation hub within the West African sub-region and beyond.
He also assured the people that the Ministry of Transport would continue to expand the capacity of airport infrastructure and services to respond to the growing demands of the citizenry.
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