President John Dramani Mahama says several major airport infrastructure projects in Ghana are being financed through the financial resources of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), without direct funding from government.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for a seven-storey multi-purpose car park and hotel complex at the Accra International Airport on Thursday, August 27, President Mahama said the arrangement demonstrated the financial capacity of the two state institutions.
He mentioned the projects as the construction of a new control tower for the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, refurbishment of Terminal 2, a transfer concourse connecting Terminals 2 and 3, as well as the new car park, hotel and entertainment complex.
“For the record, all these airport projects, the Ghana Civil Aviation’s new control tower, the refurbishment of Terminal 2, the transfer concourse between Terminal 2 and 3, and currently this airport’s parking lot and entertainment and hotel space, are being funded entirely on the balance sheet of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.
The President added that other airport projects were being financed through the balance sheet of the Ghana Airports Company Limited.
“The government of Ghana has not given any of the two institutions one single cedi for these projects,” he stressed.
President Mahama commended the Transport Minister, boards and management of the aviation institutions, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders for their roles in delivering the projects.
“This is what we want to see. Develop our country, but don’t go to others and ask for money,” he said.
He explained that the financing model supports his administration’s goal of achieving sustainable development by enabling state-owned institutions to use their financial strength to undertake strategic investments.
President Mahama expressed confidence that the projects would help modernise Ghana’s airport infrastructure and enhance the country’s position as a competitive aviation hub in Africa once completed.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar