Prempeh International Airport will open up Ashanti Region for trade flows and investments - Ahiagbah

The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has said that the Nana Agyemang Prempeh I International Airport at Kumasi will open up the Ashanti Region for trade flows and investments.

This, he said, would set the stage for a rapid surge in development.

“H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has successfully completed the expansion work at the Kumasi International Airport. As of today, it will be known as the Nana Agyemang Prempeh I International Airport.

"This remarkable investment will undoubtedly open up the region for trade flows and investments, setting the stage for a rapid surge in development. With your vote, Bawumia will add on to the legacy of growth and prosperity for our people. It’s possible! Great commendation to H.E. Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party,” he wrote on his X platform.

On Friday, May 10, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially commissioned the Prempeh I International Airport at Kumasi.

He was assisted in the historic commissioning by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The commissioning ceremony of the former Kumasi International Airport on May 10 was attended by traditional authorities, government officials, and stalwarts of the New Patriotic Party.

With this, the era of people converging in the capital city, Accra, before boarding international flights will soon be over for most residents in the Ashanti Region and the northern parts of the country.

The thought of making Kumasi Airport an international one brought loads of excitement among residents when work on the second phase began in May 2018.

This included the construction of a new terminal building, parking areas, VVIP and VIP lounges, restaurants, commercial areas, boarding gates, and a power station for 66 million Euros.

The third and final phase scheduled to be completed by June 2023, however, suffered a major setback owing to financial constraints.

It consisted of the extension of the existing runway, air traffic control building, aeronautical ground lighting system, fire station, and construction of a new taxi link, among others at a cost of 58 million euros.

Though the initial completion timeline was not met, the airport is now ready for international flights, with a capacity to handle 800,000 passengers per annum and 200 passengers every hour.

Commissioning the facility, President Akufo-Addo said the transformation of the Kumasi Airport into an international airport is turning a vision into reality.

“This project is not only critical for government but also very dear to the people of Ashanti Region. It will not only meet the needs of the people of Ashanti Region but also a symbol of development and progress. The airport will serve as an important gateway forging economic ties, supporting international trade and tourism, and promoting cultural exchange,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Asantehene, the Juabenhene Nana Otuo Siribuor II, commended the president for completing the project.

“The operation of the airport is going to make the cost of traveling cheap for us because sometimes you get to Accra and due to bad weather, you can’t fly to Kumasi. You either have to lodge in a hotel or come to Kumasi by road. We thank the President for delivering his promise to the good people of Ashanti”, Nana Otuo Siribuo II said.

Expressing his excitement at the project, President of the Car Rentals Association of Ghana, Michael Sarpong, said the opening up of the airport will create a lot of avenues for their business.

“We’ve been looking forward to the completion of this airport for long and we are now excited,” he said.

Another resident, Success Prince Duah Mensah also confess that “It is coming as a relief and now we would not have to use Accra as the main route to travel outside the country once we have an international airport here.”

However, it appears the people of Kumasi would’ve to wait for a few months before enjoying the full benefit of the new facility as operations will not start immediately.

The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah indicated that the commissioning of the terminal and its ancillary facilities such as the radar and the control tower does not mark the end of the work.

“We will commence full commercial operation at the terminal after completion of some works by the end of June. This will give us the opportunity to identify and correct any issue that may arise. Construction is still ongoing in relation to the taxi link and runway extension. The runway extension is expected to be completed between August and September.

“We had to commission the terminal to enable us to after two months, move in here so that it will give us the opportunity to break part of the old terminal and the old VIP which is part of the extension of the runway,” he said.

AE

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