Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has inaugurated the phase two of the Tamale International Airport to open the country as an aviation hub in the sub-region.
The $70 million project, which commenced in July 2019 and financed by UK Export Finance and KFW IPEX-Bank of Germany, involved the construction of an expandable modular airport terminal building, designed for annual passenger capacity of 400,000.
The Airport has a VIP lounge, two boarding gates, two self-service check-in kiosks, eight check-in desks, airline offices, commercial retail areas, a multi-purpose terminal to include Hajj travel facilitation, a five-kilometre road network, and other ancillary facilities.
It is expected to enhance regional economic activity, accelerate the potential increase in domestic travel, and open the growth potential of the region in terms of tourism and agriculture, among others.
Dr Bawumia said it was part of the Government’s commitment to expanding the frontiers of the country’s aviation industry and make her the aviation hub in West Africa.
The facility would provide the needed impetus for increased economic activities and make Tamale the gateway to the Sahelian region and other parts of the world.
He charged all relevant institutions to ensure proper management of the airport’s land to prevent encroachment and facilitate its future expansion.
Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister of Transport, said the facility would handle the growing number of passengers and ease travelling to ensure economic growth.
Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, the Northern Regional Minister, expressed happiness at the completion of the second phase and said it would complement the Kotoka International Airport for air travel to other parts of the globe.
It would not only promote movement but also propel economic growth and development of the area, he said.
Mrs Pamela Djamson-Tettey, the Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, gave the assurance that the company remained committed to managing the facility and providing world class services to patrons.
Operations at the old terminal of the Airport have been migrated to the new terminal.
Mrs Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner, was hopeful that the Airport would enhance tourism and agriculture to get processed foods across the world.
Ya-Na Abukari II, Overlord of Dagbon, expressed delight that the Tamale International Airport, which had been the dream of various successive governments, had been realised.
In September 2014, work commenced on the upgrade and expansion of the Tamale Airport to an international status.
The development was in two phases, with the first phase involving the upgrade and extension of the runway from 2,438 metres to 3,400 metres, construction of a new apron and taxilink, rehabilitation of existing apron and the installation of Aeronautical Ground Lighting Systems.
