The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, visited the proposed site for the construction of the long-awaited Upper East Regional Airport this afternoon.
Accompanied by a technical team from the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), the minister assessed the site’s readiness and reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering the project.
The visit comes weeks after President John Dramani Mahama, during his “Thank You Tour” of the region, reaffirmed his pledge to build the airport under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with support from gold mining companies in the area.
The president emphasized that the airport would not only boost tourism and trade but also facilitate the secure transportation of gold bullion to Accra.
A Long-Delayed Dream
The Upper East Region has been without a functional airport, despite repeated promises by successive governments.
Naba Yelzoya Kosom Asaga II, spokesperson for the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, recently stressed the urgency of the project, stating, “The Upper East Region is an old region and deserves to have an airport… We want to be able to fly from Accra to Bolgatanga, from Kumasi to Bolgatanga.”
The community allocated over 7,000 acres of land in Sumbrungu for the project in the 1970s. However, delays have left the site unused, displacing farmers and disrupting livelihoods.
Economic and Tourism Potential
Wisdom Ahadzie, Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), previously highlighted the airport’s potential to transform the region’s tourism sector.
Despite attractions such as the Paga Crocodile Pond and Tongo Hills, poor road networks and the absence of direct flights have hindered visitor access.
“The airport will address one of the biggest challenges—accessibility—and open doors for economic growth,” Ahadzie noted, according to A1 Radio Online.
Next Steps
Hon. Akamugri’s inspection signals renewed momentum for the project, aligning with President Mahama’s directive to GACL to secure funding.
The government has also prioritized complementary infrastructure, such as road upgrades and the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, to maximize the airport’s impact.
Source: Upper East Regional Coordinating Council
