Government explores possible airport sites in Western Region

The Ministry of Aviation is exploring more than 10 possible sites in the Western Region for the construction of an airport to serve the growing demand on that route.

Aviation Minister, Ms. Cecilia Dapaah, told the B&FT, after a tour of some sites in the region that: “We are going round to see various proposed sites for the construction of a civilian airport in the Western Region. We are considering more than 10 sites. No site has been chosen yet.”

The Minister, was accompanied by Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Deputy Minister of Aviation; Mrs. Catherine Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Culture and, Creative Arts; Mrs. Gifty Eugenia Kusi, Deputy Western Regional Minister; Ghana Airports Company Limited officials; and technical experts from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) among others.

The Takoradi Military Airport is currently the only airport in the Western Region, aside smaller private airstrips, that is used by domestic airlines--Starbow and Africa World Airlines (AWA) -- for their Accra-Takoradi-Accra flights.

The growth in mining, and oil and gas-oriented businesses in the region has led to an increased passenger throughput between Accra and Takoradi.

Airports data indicate that Takoradi is the third busiest domestic destination in the country behind Kumasi and Tamale.

The growth in air traffic between Accra and Takoradi has kept up with the growth in economic activities in the Western Regional capital following the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 2008.

The start of commercial oil production in 2010 also attracted a lot of multinational companies operating in the upstream oil sector. Local businesses, providing supporting services to the oil sector, have also set up offices in the region to provide tailor made services to the oil sector.

This, coupled with the already large presence of mining, quarrying and lumber companies operating in the region has made it one of the busiest commercial centres in the country.

“We expect the construction of an airport in the Western Region to bring investors, boost tourism and create jobs for the people of this region,” Ms. Dapaah added.

Status of on-going airport projects

The Wa Airport is the Upper West Region is currently on-going. But the Aviation Ministry has raised questions about the integrity of the project.

Ms. Dapaah, Minister of Aviation, during a recent visit to the Wa Airport site noticed some defects on the apron and some facilities at the main office block and subsequently ordered the suspension of payment to the contractor--Skill Link Limited.

“We want value for money work delivery. We will not allow any contractor to short-change the taxpayer. Quality work is our goal. We cannot invest in a facility and allow it to go waste. The Wa Airport has no fire station and we cannot comprise with safety”, she said.

Construction is also on-going for a new airport at Ho in the Volta Region. The region is endowed with fertile land suitable for the cultivation of yam, rice, maize, and onion. Fishing is also a major occupation of tens of communities sited along the Volta River.

Analysts say the construction of an airport in the region will boost tourism and attract more investment into the region.