Ghana to build 2 new airports

Government is to unveil a project to develop two new international airports in the country, Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport, said in Accra on Wednesday.

One of the airports would be sited in Kumasi and another near Accra, and according to Dr Anane, land has already been secured to facilitate the project.

The Minister said it was important to develop the nation's aviation industry to meet the increasing needs of the industry and the taste of passengers.

He said the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had put together a document on the project and was thinking of inviting private investors to develop the two new airports on a build operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Mr Anane said this when Senator Alfredo Mantica, Italian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs for African and Middle East Affairs, called on him at his office on Wednesday.

Mr Mantica was accompanied by a group of private sector operators, who are seeking to do business and invest in the country.

The delegation would hold talks with Sector Ministers of Roads and Transport, Food and Agriculture, Private Sector Development, Foreign Affairs, Works and Housing, private sector operators and the Senior Minister.

The discussions with Dr Anane centred on strengthening political, economic, cultural and technical relations between the two countries.

Dr Anane said government was determined to develop an efficient transportation system that would make movement easy and affordable for all, especially investors.

The Minister said discussions were underway to sort out the "sore points between Ghana Airways and Alitalia" to clear the path for further discussions between them.

He thus asked Senator Mantica to intervene in the Ghana Airways- Alitalia problems "to cool matters between the two airlines."

Ghana Airways owes Alitalia 26 million dollars for carrying out repairs on Ghana Airways aircrafts.

On the road sector, he said it was a major focus of government, adding that, investment by private sector operators was welcomed.

He requested for Italian technology in tunnelling of some of the country's roads.

Dr Anane asked the delegation to explore the opportunities in the nation's ports and harbour, saying the Takoradi harbour was of prime interest to government.