According to Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister of Transportation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will officially open Sunyani Airport for domestic aircraft operations later this year, barring unforeseen circumstances.
The Minister stated that the first phase of the airport's renovation and expansion was almost finished and that the President will also officiate at a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off work on the second phase of the project.
On Tuesday, Mr. Asiamah made the remark while checking on the status of construction at the plant in Sunyani.
Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the Minister of Employment and Labor Relations, Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East, as well as several top representatives from the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) were with him.
Mr. Asiamah expressed his admiration for the contractors' hard work and stated he was particularly delighted with the work done on the runway.
However, he voiced concern about the extent of encroachment on the airport's property and stated that talks were being held to assist settle the issue between the GACL, GACC, traditional authority, and the trespassers.
Mr. Asiamah issued a warning to real estate developers, individuals, and all prospective property purchasers, advising them to exercise prudence so as not to infringe on the Airport's remaining acreage.
The Bono Regional Minister, Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, outlined how the opening of the facility will promote quick socioeconomic development in the area.
She acknowledged that travelling to Accra from the area was time-consuming and expressed the hope that residents would use the facility to improve domestic air travel.
Considering that Passion and other local airlines are all prepared to start operations in Sunyani, Madam Owusu-Banahene expressed hope that the facility will be opened for commercial flight operations within the next two weeks.
She stressed the enormous economic potential of the Bono Region, adding that the opening of the regional capital and the resulting increase in commercial activity and socioeconomic advancement will result from air operations.
The Sunyani airport has a total runway length of around 1,520 metres and was first built as an airstrip before being expanded to an airport in 1969.
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