Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday opened the upgraded Tamale International Airport in the Northern Regional capital.
The commissioning followed the completion of works, which started in August 2019 as part of the government’s aviation sector infrastructure development programme designed to expand the frontiers of the aviation industry and make Ghana the aviation hub in West Africa.
“This project is so dear to the government and particularly the hard-working people of the Northern Region and its trading partners across the country and the Sub-Region,” Bawumia stated at the commissioning.
He added, “The completion of this ultra-modern terminal building together with a multi-purpose terminal and supporting facilities are expected to provide the needed impetus for increased economic activities and re-enforce the status of Tamale as a Hub for flights operating within West Africa and the Sahel Region.”
The VP added that the Tamale International Airport, upgraded at a cost of 70 million U.S. dollars, would serve as an alternative to the Kotoka International Airport in the capital.
The scope of work under the project includes an approximately 5,000 meter squared expandable ultra-modern airport terminal building with annual passenger throughput of 400,000; a multi-purpose Terminal, including a facility for Hajj travels, 5km single carriageway access road; a 330 capacity car park, a Technical hub to manage electricity, waste water treatment and other essentials, among others.
Other facilities include a VIP lounge; two boarding gates; two self-service check-in kiosks; eight check-in desks; airline offices and commercial retail areas.
The vice president said the location of the airport within the Sahelian belt, also referred to as the food basket of Ghana, is expected to enhance access to market for the local agriculture produce, enhance tourism and attract passengers from neighboring countries.
He added that the government intends to use Tamale International Airport to support its programmes to harness fresh agricultural produce for export to other parts of the world and to generate employment and create wealth in this geographical zone.
“The boost in agriculture would be leveraged to support the development of Agro-based industries in Northern Ghana. The expansion of the Tamale International Airport is expected to serve as a catalyst for industrialization and rapid socio-economic development,” Bawumia added.
“Significantly, it is also expected that the Tamale International Airport will make Tamale the Hajj hub in Ghana and facilitate seamless travel directly to Saudi Arabia for the seasonal pilgrimage to Mecca. It is gratifying to note that the multi-purpose terminal, which was completed in 2022, has been used in facilitating Hajj Pilgrims in 2022 and 2023, added the vice president.
The Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, urged airline operators in the subregion and beyond to take advantage of the increasing aviation offerings in Ghana, promising them an “unmatched travel experience” to, and in Ghana.
The upgrading of the airport was facilitated by the UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC), established in 2018 and co-chaired by Bawumia.