President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned phase one of the Sunyani Airport rehabilitation project on Wednesday (3 August 2022).
Describing the commissioning ceremony as “a seminal moment in the growth and development of this elegant city, Sunyani”, President Akufo-Addo said that “the rehabilitation of this airport is a critical part of government’s vision to expand the frontiers of the aviation industry in the country, and to realise the dream of making Ghana an aviation hub in West Africa”.
Sunyani Airport dates back to 1942, during the Second World War, when it was used as an airstrip for Allied Forces. In 1969, the 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 13 July 1974 by Colonel P K Agyekum, the then commissioner for transport and communications.
“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,” said President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday.
“In line with my government’s policy to provide a functional air travel infrastructure to enhance the development of our nation’s Middle Belt, and strengthen the growth of agriculture, general business and industrial transformation, a works contract was awarded to M/S Resource Access Ltd to commence work on the rehabilitation of the airport, which began in 2019,” Akufo-Addo said.
What’s new?
The presidente told guests that the scope of works included the rehabilitation and extension of the runway from 1,280 metres to 1,400 metres; repair of the apron to accommodate small- to medium-size aircraft; minimal renovation of the terminal building; and construction of some airport internal roads.
With air travel picking up, after the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry, it is expected that domestic passenger traffic will continue to grow over the coming years, and will require more infrastructural development.
“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,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“They are phases two and three of the Kumasi Airport project, which are presently some 93% complete, and phase two of Tamale Airport, which is 95% complete.”
Touching on the widespread encroachment of airport lands, a phenomenon that threatens future expansion of airports in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo said “it must be stopped”.
According to him, “The operators and regulators of our airports, as well as the Lands Commission, need to sit up and ensure that lands belonging to our airports are managed properly and duly protected, not only for future projects of expansion, but also for safeguarding lives and property.”
The president assured residents of Sunyani that “this project is a sign of greater things to come for Sunyani and the Bono Region and, indeed, for the whole nation. The Akufo-Addo government’s commitment to the development of all parts of Ghana, without discrimination, is absolute.”
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