Although no specific timelines have been given, Mr. Asiamah said the centre would serve not only Ghana but also West Africa.

The Minister made the disclosure on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen on Wednesday.

He explained that the decision was prompted by the halt in commercial operations.

“We engaged Africa World Airline (AWA) on why they suspended flights on the route, and they cited low passenger numbers. So, the plan is to engage the private sector and turn it into an Aviation Training Centre for West Africa. We have partners in America, and we have begun discussions on the way forward,” he said.

The construction of the airport began in September 2015 and was completed in September 2018.

There have been concerns that the airport may deteriorate due to the lack of commercial activities. However, Mr. Asiamah allayed these fears, stating that the Civil Aviation Authority is still maintaining the equipment at the airport. He added that the training centre will be a major boost for economic activity.

“We have many of our people [Ghanaians] already training individuals across Africa. So, the centre will go a long way in boosting the economy,” he stated.

On future decisions regarding the resumption of airline operations, the Minister noted that it would purely be the decision of the private sector.

The facility consists of a runway 1,900 metres long and 30 metres wide, an aircraft parking area, a terminal building that can accommodate at least 150,000 passengers a year, VIP and VVIP facilities, a parking area for staff, and a nine-kilometre network of roads around the airport.

It also features an air traffic control tower, a water reservoir, a fire station, and a standby generator, among other facilities.

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“As per the work we have done so far, the first flight will come from Ethiopian Airlines,” he stated.

He made this announcement in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show.

He added that the current airport infrastructure is being upgraded, with plans to dismantle the old terminal.

However, both the new and existing runways will continue to be operational for flights.

“The contractor is already mobilizing the site, and we expect the airport to be fully operational by January or February next year,” Mr. Asiamah explained.

He stressed the significance of the project for Kumasi and the Ashanti region.

“This project will change the face of Ashanti. The airport is huge and will serve as a major hub.”

Mr. Asiamah also praised the government’s efforts in improving infrastructure across the country.

“Under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, this project is a testament to his commitment to the development of Ghana. He has the heart of Ghanaians at heart,” he added

The first international flight to Kumasi will land this December – KWAKU OFORI ASIAMAH, Minister for Transport#Ekosiisen pic.twitter.com/h38LgFnbbh

— Asempa 94.7FM (@Asempa947_FM) November 27, 2024

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He called for partnerships with the private sector to invest in charging stations across the country, assembling and manufacturing, and maintenance and repair services for EVs to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

This call was part of a speech read on behalf of the Minister at the award ceremony of the Bolt Accelerator Programme in Accra.

In December 2023, the government launched the National Electric Vehicle Policy to pave the way for the uptake of EVs for a cleaner and more sustainable transport future.

The shift towards EVs, he said, represented a significant step in reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, combating climate change, and improving air quality in the cities.

“The policy presents us with a unique opportunity to drive investment in green transport and innovative technologies,” he said.

He commended Bolt for his commitment and for supporting driver-partners beyond the platform through training and funding of entrepreneurial ventures.

The initiatives, he stressed, aligned with the government’s vision of job creation and empowering the youth for economic growth.

He said one of the key policy objectives of the Ministry was geared towards the application of new and appropriate technologies and innovations to transport infrastructure and service delivery.

“We are confident that collaboration with industry players and stakeholders will be critical as we explore and roll out innovative initiatives that empower people, promote entrepreneurship, and safeguard the natural environment,” he said.

He said that through innovative technologies, the Ministry had collaborated with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service to automate traffic law enforcement.

“We have also launched Transport Ghana with very unique features, including passenger manifests, pre-departure checks, vehicle tracking, electronic ticketing, and a road safety watch to ensure road safety,” he said.

Ms Lola Masha, Bolt Regional Manager, North and West Africa, said the BAP was first introduced and piloted in Nigeria in September 2023 and then expanded to Ghana and Kenya.

The Company works with the Transport Ministry and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to ensure regulatory compliance in the sector.

She said the Company would continue to innovate and keep empowering Bolt and courier drivers to improve their capacities and competencies.

Mr Ali Zaryab, Bolt Food Country Manager, welcomed the government’s collaborative efforts to invest in the country’s EV sector.

BAP provides an opportunity for Bolt drivers, couriers, and their families to turn their innovative business ideas and pitches into reality.

The business ideas focus on sustainability, safety, or inclusive transportation.

The top 10 awardees were presented with 2,000 euros each in seed funding to start their entrepreneurial journey.

They were presented with certificates, access to business mentorship bootcamp experience, and a learning journey with Bolt Academy.

Mr Agbenya Kobla Adogla won the best pitch, Mr Samuel Agbagbo won the most scalable idea, and Mr William Nana Acheampong got the most innovative idea.

They were presented with a laptop each to aid their entrepreneurial potential.

The awardees commended the organisers for the opportunity and pledged to make good use of the funds to improve the transport sector.

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Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, says available statistics reveal that more than half of air travelers in the country, representing about 55 percent, originate from the Ashanti region and its environs.

She is hopeful that the new facility, when commissioned, will ease the burden of travelers who had to travel several kilometers to Accra for such trips.

“I am hopeful that when this facility is commissioned by the end of May, as said by the Transport Minister, and it’s operationalized in June, we will get the patronage needed.”

Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, following an inspection visit to the facility on April 23, 2024, said it will be commissioned and operationalized in June this year.

He says the opening of the airport to traffic would ease the burden on air travelers in the northern part of the country who have to commute long distances to Accra for their international travels.

Construction works on Phase II of the Kumasi International Airport over a 30-month period began in 2018 after President Akuffo-Addo cut the sod for the commencement of works.

The modern airport, with a terminal measuring approximately 12,000 square meters that meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for international airports, is expected to be named after the 13^th Ashanti King, Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh I.
With Phase III expected to be completed in September this year, it will allow for the use of a boarding bridge, an extension of the existing runway and its associated aeronautic ground lighting system, as well as a fire station and air traffic control.

While the Phase II included construction of a new terminal building to handle 800,000 passengers per annum, road networks, perimeter fence, two boarding bridges, as well as substation and parking lot, among others, Phase III involved the extension of the existing runway pavement from 1,981 meters to 2,320 meters.

It also saw construction of new taxi link and two apron parking stands, an Air Traffic Control Building, and a Fire Station, etc.

According to the Ghana Airport Company Ltd, the two phases are at a cost of £125,250,000.

Operating on three levels, including entry at the first level and facilitation to the aerobridges at the third level, the airport has IATA: KMS, ICAO: DGSI as the IATA and ICAO codes.
Project Director, Nana Ametepe, while taking the Transport Minister and officials of Ghana Airport Company through the current state of the airport, said the contractor has finished its contractual obligations.

“Once the runway is in operation, it will manage the critical aircraft 737-800. The runway is to be extended, and the runway is currently under 2 kilometers. The intention is to take it over 2 kilometers.”

“In terms of the work, the contractor has finished all his contractual obligations under the contract, and Ghana Airport has taken over under the recommendations of the consultants.” Nana Ametepe added. The Transport Minister announced the Ministry has initiated processes of operational readiness airport transfer to allow for a simulation of all airport systems as Ghana Airport Company takes over the facility from contractors, Contracta Construction UK Ltd, ahead of commissioning.

“Ghana Airport Company has taken over the facility and put it to use.”

An elated Mr. Asiamah is happy the new facility fits international standards.

“It fits international standards because ICAO has certified that we can use it as an international airport.

“We will commission this facility before the end of  May,” he said.
The new facility comes with a 4-level security check for the in-flight smuggling of illegal materials and illicit drugs.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo and the Vice President, Dr. Mahmoud Mahamadu Bawumiah, as well as other government functionaries, are expected to join the Asantehene on Friday, May 10, 2024, to commission the airport.

In his view, the NPP’s superior track record in job creation, road infrastructure development, and education outweighs that of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to Mr. Asiamah, the NPP government has outperformed any previous administration in terms of education and road infrastructure, marking significant achievements in these vital sectors.

Highlighting Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s contributions, he applauded his innovative initiatives.

“The NDC should come out and tell us a single transformative project accomplished during their time in office. They don’t come near the NPP in terms of innovation and other important things and that is why I think we will break the 8” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday.

Mr. Asiamah reaffirms the NPP government’s commitment to progress and expressed their readiness to lead Ghana into a new era of development.

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Mr Asiamah who made the announcement on the floor of parliament on Thursday said it will add to the efficiency drive in the country, especially in that enclave.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament on the status of the Tamale International Airport, he stressed that all was set for it to be operationalised.

“By the end of the month, the airport will allow air passengers in the northern part of the country to fly out of the country directly from Tamale without having to come to Accra first,” he said.

The Minister stated that all preparatory works have been concluded and all that is left is for government to formally open it to traffic.

He also announced that plans are far advanced for phase three of the airport project to kick start.

The expansion works, costing $70 million, included the construction of a modern terminal building and other ancillary facilities such as a VIP lounge, two boarding gates, four self-service check-in kiosks, eight check-in desks, airline offices, commercial retail areas, a multi-purpose terminal for Hajj travel facilitation and a five-kilometre road network.

The airport also has a 350-capacity car park, a technical area, which includes a reservoir for potable water and firefighting, and a sewage treatment plant, among other facilities.

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Mr Asiamah was expected to appear before the House on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, to answer questions by members regarding their transport system in their respective constituencies.

Particularly, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pru East, Dr Kwabena Donkor, was concerned about the supply of ferries at Yeji, Kete Karachi, and Donkokrom.

The Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, and Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed, who felt disappointed in the action called for a sanction.

However, the Deputy Majority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, in an excused response on behalf of the minister stated it was due to unfortunate circumstances.

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According to him, the notice for the Minister’s summons was also short, hence his absence.

According to him, the government is currently in talks with the Korean government to procure COVID-19 compliant buses.

Mr Asiamah revealed this at his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

“Since public transport has been identified as a high-risk environment for the transmission of the virus, we are innovating these buses that come with Automatic in-built and installed internal disinfectant and sanitizer designed for inter-city and intra-city transits. It automatically sanitizes the hands, takes records of temperature, and then sanitizes the whole body. It also disinfects the interior of the buses as and when the passengers get on board and when necessary,” the Minister-Designate for Transport stated.

Major Economic Benefit

According to him, the COVID-19 compliant buses will help bring economic relief since the government will be relying on prevention to avoid further financial stress from the health sector as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As a matter of fact, the COVID-19 pandemic brought untold financial stress where the government was compelled to roll out economic relief to the public as a way of mitigating the economic challenges.

Funding:

Mr Asiamah, further disclosed that the Source of funding for the COVID-19 Compliant Buses will come from the Korea Exim from the government of Korea or likely Afri Exim.

It has emerged that Ghana’s public transport system has been identified as partially compliant in enforcing strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, particularly using nose masks and observing safety protocols.

Also, even though the transport operators are enforcing the protocols it has become very clear that some passengers are feeling reluctant to comply with the protocols.

As Ghana entangles in the ripple effects of the COVID-19 health crisis, the country is seeking to introduce new innovative ways to meet the new normal and further secure and protect the public from the pandemic.

And since public transport remains a potential hotspot for the spread of COVID-19 due to the attitude of some of the passengers after the buses take off, it has become critical for the Government of Ghana to procure COVID-19 Compliant Buses.