President John Dramani Mahama says the proposed Bolgatanga Airport will make the 11-hour road journey between the Upper East Region and Accra unnecessary for residents who choose air travel, describing the project as a potential “game changer” for the region’s economy.
President Mahama said the airport would allow residents to fly directly to Accra instead of travelling to Tamale to access air services, while improving the movement of people and goods and making the Upper East Region more attractive to investors.
He made the remarks Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, during an inspection of the proposed airport site, his first engagement on a two-day working tour of the Upper East Region.
“We want to open up the country to air travel because there are some people who want to go very quickly to Accra, transact their business and come back quickly. You cannot sit in a bus for 11 hours going to Accra and 11 hours coming back.”
“That will be a thing of the past. You’ll be able to fly from here directly to Accra without driving to Tamale. This is going to be an important enabler of economic activity,” he stated.
The proposed airport is expected to have a 2.2-kilometre runway to support domestic and commercial flights.
President Mahama disclosed that procurement for the project is underway and called for the process to be expedited.
“The project is 24 months. I’ve been following the process of the procurement. I want us to let it go quickly. Even though they’ve given 24 months, the contractors assure us that they can do it in a shorter time than that.”
He said he would return to the Upper East Region for the official sod-cutting ceremony once the necessary processes are completed.
“Very soon I’ll come back and join you, our paramount chiefs and the people of Upper East to cut the sod on this site for the provision of the airport.”
President Mahama thanked traditional authorities for releasing land for the project and said the government’s plans extend beyond the construction of an airport.
“I want to thank you for your generous donation of this parcel of land for the Upper East Airport. It is going to consist not only of the airport but we want to develop a city around the airport so that it can have added value,” he said.
The President said the airport would also support businesses operating in the Upper East Region, particularly mining companies that currently face challenges transporting gold to Accra.
“Aside from that there are many businesses here in the Upper East region. We have the gold mines. They have to move their gold down to Accra. Sometimes they have to use a bullion van or charter a helicopter. It will be easy for them to bring it here and fly their gold bullion to Accra.”
He said improved air connectivity could also make the region more attractive to investors who require faster access to their businesses.
“When investors come and they want to set up an industry here, they want to be able to travel quickly and back. Nobody wants to drive 11 hours to come to his factory in Upper East and drive 11 hours back to Accra. I believe that this airport will be a game changer.”
President Mahama urged residents to patronise the airport when it becomes operational, saying passenger numbers would be important to its sustainability and future expansion.
“It is my hope that the people of Upper East will patronize it. I want to see your passenger numbers climb up very quickly because like he said it’s a scalable airport.”
The proposed airport is expected to improve connectivity and support trade, tourism, investment and other economic activities in the Upper East Region.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
