By Lawrence Manu-Gyan
President Akufo-Addo has inaugurated Phase One of the Sunyani Airport Rehabilitation Project.
The rehabilitation of the airport, the President noted, is a critical part of the Government’s vision to expand the frontiers of the Aviation Industry and to realise the dream of making Ghana an Aviation hub in West Africa.
The scope of work included the rehabilitation and extension of the runway from 1,280 meters to 1,400 meters, repair of the Apron to accommodate small to medium size aircraft, minimal renovation of the Terminal Building and construction of some Airport internal roads.
The President charged the relevant authorities to safeguard and protect airport lands from encroachment.
Air travel is picking up, following 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 developments in the sector.
The inauguration of Phase One of the Sunyani Airport thus came at the right time. The rehabilitation works began in 2019 after it was closed down in 2015.
Addressing the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo noted that the expansion of the Sunyani Airport is part of the government’s efforts to cater for the anticipated growth in the domestic air transport industry. He further charged airport authorities and the Lands Commission to protect airport lands for future projects.
The Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, stated that the project has created employment opportunities and expressed optimism that it is going to boost economic activities in the Bono and neighbouring Regions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company, Pamela Djamson-Tettey, expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for supporting the Company with the project.
The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, noted that the project, as with other projects in the aviation industry is in sync with the government’s vision of making Ghana an aviation hub.
The ceremony was witnessed by traditional leaders from the Bono Region, Ministers for Communication and Digitalisation, Labour and the Bono Region as well as officials from the Ghana Airport Company, the clergy, government officials and some residents of Sunyani.
