Gabriel Agambila blasts Upper East Airport critics, says opposition reflects ‘stone-age’ thinking

Founder of the Alagumgube Association, Gabriel Agambila, has criticised residents and commentators questioning the need for the proposed Upper East Regional Airport, describing such opposition as evidence of a failure to think about the region’s long-term future.

Mr Agambila said the argument that the Upper East Region should prioritise roads and a railway instead of an airport was misplaced, insisting that the region needs multiple modes of transportation to support its development.

According to him, those who oppose the airport because the region needs better roads are “living in the stone age” and failing to appreciate how modern economies develop.

He argued that development infrastructure should not be approached as an either-or situation, stressing that roads, railways and aviation can complement one another.

His comments follow renewed public debate over the airport after President John Dramani Mahama inspected the proposed airport site at Sumbrungu-Kulbia during his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region.

Following the President’s inspection, some residents and social media commentators questioned why government was prioritising an airport when the region continues to face challenges with roads and has no functional railway connection.

Others argued that a rail system linking Accra to northern Ghana could provide a more affordable and efficient alternative for transporting people and goods.

But Mr Agambila rejected that argument, saying a railway from Accra to the northern part of the country is not something that can be achieved immediately and should not be used as a reason to deny the Upper East Region an airport.

He said development planning must take into account both present needs and future opportunities.

Mr Agambila also highlighted the importance of the airport beyond ordinary passenger travel, particularly in emergency situations.

He said an airport could provide a faster means of transporting critically ill patients who require specialised medical attention outside the region, while also facilitating the movement of medical specialists, emergency personnel, medicines and other essential supplies.

The absence of an airport currently means residents who need to fly from the region have to travel to Tamale before accessing domestic flights to Accra. President Mahama has cited the long journey to Tamale as one of the challenges the airport would address.

Mr Agambila argued that in medical emergencies, where time can determine whether a patient survives, reducing the time required to connect the Upper East Region with Accra and other parts of the country could be critical.

He also pointed to other potential benefits, including emergency evacuations, faster movement of business executives, access for investors, tourism development, movement of high-value goods and improved connectivity for residents travelling for education, business and official purposes.

The proposed airport is also expected to create opportunities for businesses and contribute to the development of an economic hub around the facility. President Mahama has said the project is intended not only to provide an airport but also to stimulate the development of a city around it.

Mr Agambila maintained that the Upper East Region must begin thinking beyond its immediate infrastructure challenges and invest in facilities capable of supporting future economic growth.

He said the region's development should not be limited to fixing existing roads while ignoring infrastructure that could attract investment and open new economic opportunities.

He therefore urged residents to view the airport as part of a broader development strategy rather than as a replacement for roads or a future railway.

His position is consistent with his long-standing advocacy for the airport. In 2024, as Chairman of the Upper East Airport Development Committee, Mr Agambila highlighted the risks and inconvenience residents face when travelling by road to Tamale to catch flights, including long and stressful journeys and concerns over security during late-night travel.

In 2025, he also described the airport as capable of creating jobs, attracting investors and contributing to economic growth in the region.

President Mahama has assured residents that construction of the long-awaited airport will begin before the end of 2026, subject to the completion of procurement processes.

The President said the project is expected to take 24 months to complete once construction begins, although contractors have indicated that they may be able to finish earlier.

The proposed facility is expected to include a 2.2-kilometre runway, aircraft apron, taxiway, airfield lighting, an integrated terminal, air traffic control tower and Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. An approximately five-kilometre asphalted access road is also expected to form part of the project.

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