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 President Mahama cutting the tape to inaugurate the phase one of the Tamale Airport expansion project. Picture: SAMUEL DUODU
President Mahama cutting the tape to inaugurate the phase one of the Tamale Airport expansion project. Picture: SAMUEL DUODU

Tamale Airport comes alive with inauguration of 1st phase of expansion project

President John Dramani Mahama  yesterday inaugurated the first phase of the expansion and upgrading of the Tamale Airport  to international status.

Shortly after the ceremony, the first batch of 500 Muslim pilgrims were flown directly from the Tamale International Airport to Mecca for this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

In all, 1,500 pilgrims from the Savannah Ecological Zone, comprising  the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, parts of Northern Volta and the Brong Ahafo regions who intend to perform this year's Hajj  will be flown to Mecca in  three batches of 500 each.

Upgrading and expansion work

The first phase of the Tamale Airport redevelopment project involves, among other works, the extension of the runway from 2,480 metres to about 3,940 metres and the installation of a lighting system for the airport to accommodate bigger aircraft in line with its status as an international airport. 

  The project became necessary because of the increasing number of airlines that use the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and the growing demand for domestic air transport. 

The upgrading and expansion works on the Tamale Airport are also consistent with an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAC) requirement that enjoins member countries to have alternative international airports  that have similar capacities as their main airports.

With the inauguration of the first phase of the Tamale Airport expansion project, the airport would now have the capacity to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft such as Boeing 747-800 series and facilities comparable to those at KIA.

This would also allow aircraft, which for any reason cannot land at KIA, to be diverted to Tamale. 

Farewell

The Tamale Airport expansion project is being undertaken by Geiroz Galvao Construction,a Brazilian company.

The President, who is on a campaign tour of the Western Region, cut the tour short to travel to Tamale for the inauguration and to see off the pilgrims.

Families and friends of pilgrims and state officials who were at the airport were excited when the Boeing 747 carrying the first batch of the 500 pilgrims took off from the tarmac.  Some of the people shouted "Allahu Akbar", meaning God is Great, in Arabic. 

 President Mahama, in his inaugural address, gave the assurance that the government would see to the completion of the second phase of the Tamale Airport expansion project.

The second phase involves the construction of a terminal and a cargo section for the export of fresh vegetables and other agricultural products.

The President said the government would continue to work with the Ghana Airport Company to develop the aviation industry.

He said the upgrading of the Tamale Airport into an international terminal also formed part of the vision of the government to develop the aviation industry in Ghana and make air travel available and affordable to all Ghanaians. 

Airport City

President  Mahama said plans were underway to also develop the Tamale Airport into an aircraft maintenance facility for West Africa, adding that there were also plans to develop the airport enclave  into an airport city similar to that of the KIA

He said the development of the Wa Airport was also on course to make it possible for domestic flights to begin operations from there in the next few months. 

"I am delighted that the first commercial flight which involves Muslims pilgrims took place today", he stated.

President Mahama stated that the government would also rehabilitate the runway of the Sunyani Airport  to facilitate a more efficient use, while feasibility studies on the Cape Coast and Bolgatanga airports were going on. 

The President said all  the facilities would raise the standard of aviation in Ghana.

Mr Mahama commended the construction firm for the quality work done and all who contributed towards the take-off of the Hajj pilgrims. 

Aviation hub

The Minister of Transport, Mr  Fifi  Kwetey, for  his part, said the project was undertaken at an estimated cost of $130million dollars, and called on traditional leaders to help protect lands around the various airports to ensure safety and security . 

The Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, (GACL), Mr Charles K. Asare, stated that with the continued support from the government, the GACL would be able to achieve the President's vision of positioning Ghana as the preferred aviation hub and a leader in aviation industry in West Africa

The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdullah Abubakari, on behalf of the chiefs and people of the Northern Region, thanked the President for upgrading the Tamale Airport , which had made it possible for Muslim pilgrims to embark on the Hajj directly from Tamale instead of travelling  to Accra to board the flights to Mecca.

 

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