A controversy has erupted over the push to construct the Upper East Regional Airport, with the lead convenor of the Alagumbe Association, Gabriel Agambila, accusing Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Atanga Akamugri of sidelining the group and taking undue credit for years of work led by the association.
In an interview with A1 Radio, Agambila said that despite Alagumgube’s central role in securing land, mobilizing funds and coordinating local stakeholders, the Minister and some political actors allegedly signed and submitted key project documents to the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) without informing the association.
“I have not signed any document. Yet documents were sent to Accra as though all necessary signatures had been obtained,” he said. “The landowners told me themselves that they signed. I even visited the GACL CEO in Accra, who confirmed receiving the documents.”
Agambila said he confronted the Regional Minister about what he described as a backdoor signing process. “He told me they needed the documents ‘express.’ But who could have done it faster than me? I left my job and family in the U.S. to stay in Ghana for 11 months to fight for this airport,” he said.
The Alagumgube Association has led the push for a regional airport for the past three years, funding land documentation, engaging landowners, clearing the proposed site, repairing access routes and handling cultural requirements, including relocating shrines affected by site expansion.
Agambila said the group’s engagement with chiefs and Tandanba has required significant financial and logistical support. “You can’t go to these leaders empty-handed. Drinks, tokens, logistical support—we’ve borne all of that. For them to go behind us and do this is betrayal.”
He said tensions escalated when some landowners felt deceived and nearly withdrew their land. “A chief even told us to come and take back the ‘airport receipt’ because he thought I had abandoned the project. I had to kneel down and beg him. This is how serious it is.”
Despite raising concerns, Agambila said the Minister downplayed the issue, describing the signing in Accra as not “the final merry-making signing.” But Agambila insisted, “The documents are already signed. What are we celebrating again?”
He suggested political motives may be behind the sidelining. “Maybe they say I’m not a party boy,” he said. “But this project is not political. We’ve worked with three regional ministers. Government appointees come and go. We remain.”
Agambila said the association feels deeply betrayed. “They have insulted us and our stakeholders. People abroad who fund us are angry. We wouldn’t have spoken, but we have been pushed to the wall.”
Despite the fallout, he said the group will continue to push for the airport. New investors have shown interest, and the association plans to work with national authorities while maintaining its independence.
“The region is fighting, and Alagumgube is also fighting,” he said. “Whoever brings the meat, it will benefit the region. But respect and transparency are non-negotiable.”
At the time of the report, the Upper East Regional Minister had yet to respond to the calls of this reporter for his response.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
