Upper East Airport to open region to investors, boost economic activity — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has stated that Upper East Airport would improve air connectivity between the region and Accra and also reduce the long journey residents currently make to Tamale to access air travel.

President Mahama said the project would also serve as an important enabler of economic activity and help attract investors to the region.

“East Airport is going to consist not only of the airport, but we want to develop the city around the airport so that it can have added value,” he said.

President Mahama made the remarks on Thursday, August 13, during the first day of his working visit to the Upper East Region.

He said the airport would eliminate the need for residents to travel about 160 kilometres to Tamale before flying to Accra.

“You'll be able to fly from here directly to Accra without driving to Tamale, and so this is going to be an important enabler of economic activity,” the President said.

He said the facility would also support businesses in the region, including gold mining companies, to transport their gold bullion to Accra more efficiently.

President Mahama said the government is also working on the development of airports in other parts of the country, including Wa and Sunyani.

He expressed hope that procurement processes for the projects would be completed by the end of the year to pave the way for construction to begin.

According to the President, although the project has been scheduled for completion in 24 months, the contractors have indicated that they could complete it earlier.

He urged residents of the Upper East Region to patronise the facility when completed to enable passenger numbers to grow and support future expansion.

The President said the airport would initially be designed to handle about 100,000 passengers, with provision for expansion as demand increases.