The Minister for Aviation, Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda has expressed worry that due to the present global coronavirus crisis, the Tamale International Airport phase II will suffer some setbacks. According to the minister, most of the materials required for the project are yet to be imported into the country.
Mr. Adda inspected the project on Wednesday, 19 August, 2020, with the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Sa-eed. Interacting with the media, the Aviation Minister said, “I think we are going to have a bit of a problem because of Covid-19 delaying the supply of materials and arrangements have been made to get the materials to ensure that the project continues.”
Nevertheless, the Minister said he was happy about the progress of work thus far and also commended the contractor.
He revealed that the capacity of the terminal is expected to accommodate about 400,000 passengers when completed, adding that the Tamale Airport will serve as the alternative to the Kotoka International Airport.
The Tamale Airport phase II according to the contractors on site is about 25% completed, which includes the construction of both the software and hardware.
For his part, the Northern Regional Minister Salifu Sa-eed thanked President Nana Akufo-Addo on behalf of the Chiefs and people of the region for committing resources to uplift the airport to an International status.
He noted that the numerous infrastructural developments in the area are the dividends of the peace prevailing in the region.
He added that the airport project when completed will attract both local and foreign investors in the northern region. Therefore, he urged the people to maintain the existing peace in the region.
Meanwhile, after completion of the phase II, the Tamale airport would have VVIP & VIP lounges , three boarding gates, four self-service check-in kiosks, 12 check-in desks, operational offices, airline offices, administration offices, baby care, commercial/rental area and underground water tank.
The contractors have started with the footing of the terminal building, grounds stabilization and engineering for the Hajj and multipurpose building.
They are also working on the access roads 1, 2 and main access roads of the project as well as clearing of the access road for the car parks and bulk storage facilities.
The government of Ghana is injecting a total of $70 million into the Tamale International Airport project through the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) facility with support from KFW IPEC-Bank
