Minister for transport and aviation Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has indicated that the decision to establish an airport either in the central or the western region is yet to be taken.
He said the ministry is going to rely on feasibility studies being undertaken to make that decision.
“As part of government policy to establish an airport or assist in each part of our regions to boost tourism and trade, a feasibility study is currently ongoing to determine a suitable location for the development of an airport either in Cape Coast in Central Region, another one either in Takoradi in the western region or there should be one which can serve the two regions in between, central and western region.”
The minister made this revelation when he took his turn at the Minister’s Press Briefing series Wednesday to discuss developments in the transportation sector.
You will recall that after what many described as inconsistencies in the airport promise by the President and his vice during the NPP’s Manifesto reading, officials from the Ghana Airports led by the then Aviation Minister, Mr. Kofi Adda visited a 600-acre land earmarked for the construction of the Cape Coast at Ankaful.
After the inspection, the minister spoke to the journalist and said “We have now completed the feasibility studies. We are sure that there’s potential for a viable Airport here and we have also been able to identify the source of funding that we can use for that. And so, with these two, we are happy that if we do get the approval from the Ministry of Finance, cabinet, and Parliament, Cape Coast will have an Airport,”
But according to the current sector minister, the feasibility studies that are yet to be done will determine the project’s location whether in Cape Coast or Takoradi or between the two.
“For Takoradi and Cape Coast or one airport that we are going to build for the two, the feasibility studies will then determine because we are not done yet. The experts will come out with the level of infrastructure and the cost that we need to put in place in the building…I think that you must give me time for the feasibility studies to be completed, then the cost element will be there based on the infrastructure that we need to put in place for these areas.”
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Outlining various completed projects and ongoing infrastructure works the country’s land ports, airports, and seaports, he noted that “The Kumasi and the tamale airport are currently being upgraded to international status. The Kumasi airport phase two and phase three is 92 and 37.8% complete.”
Mr. Adda said government is keen on making Ghana an aviation hub in the Sub-Region indicating that the ministry is at its final stage of negotiation with strategic investors for the establishment of the home base.
“It is expected that the negotiations will soon be finalized and the airline established and we are hoping that by the middle of next year, at least the airlines should be in place.” He assured.
The minister also revealed that said plans are far advanced to collaborate with the police in using technology to improve compliance with traffic regulations on our roads in the country and embark on a campaign with the media to promote traffic compliance.
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
