President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of a multi-purpose, multi-tiered car park and airport hotel complex at the Accra International Airport, in a major infrastructure development aimed at expanding facilities at Ghana’s principal international gateway.
The seven-storey development is expected to provide approximately 2,030 covered parking bays and significantly increase parking capacity at Terminal 3, while also introducing new accommodation, retail, dining and business facilities within the airport enclave. Performing the sod-cutting ceremony at the airport, President Mahama said the project formed part of efforts to anticipate Ghana’s growing aviation needs and ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with increasing passenger traffic.
He said the country could not afford to wait until congestion and inadequate services became major challenges before investing in critical infrastructure. “The lesson from that investment is clear: infrastructure must anticipate growth,” the President said. “We cannot wait until congestion becomes unmanageable, services deteriorate, and opportunities are lost before we take action.”
According to President Mahama, passenger traffic through the Accra International Airport increased from 1.8 million passengers in 2022 to 2.5 million passengers in 2025.He said the increase reflected Ghana’s expanding air connectivity and growing attractiveness as a destination for business, tourism and investment. The new development is therefore expected to provide additional capacity and improve the overall experience of passengers using Terminal 3.
A major component of the project is the construction of two hotels designed to serve travellers with different accommodation needs. The complex will feature a 120-room five-star premium hotel and a 250-room three-star hotel, providing a combined 370 rooms. The development will also include retail and commercial spaces, banking facilities, restaurants, a food court and shopping malls.
A covered pedestrian sky bridge will connect the complex directly to Terminal 3, allowing passengers to move conveniently between the airport terminal and the new facilities. The development will further feature a sky lounge and an observatory, providing visitors and aviation enthusiasts with an opportunity to observe aircraft operations.
President Mahama said the combination of facilities was intended to transform the airport area into a more vibrant commercial and economic centre. “This thoughtful mix of parking, accommodation, retail, dining and business services will improve convenience and help transform the airport enclave into a more vibrant economic space,” he said.
He added that the commercial and business facilities would also provide opportunities for passengers and other travellers to hold meetings before boarding their flights.
The President said the parking facility would incorporate modern technologies designed to improve efficiency, security and convenience. The system will include automatic number plate recognition, cashless payment facilities and parking guidance systems to assist motorists in locating available spaces.
Electric vehicle charging points will also be installed as part of the development, while a centralised closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system will be deployed to enhance security. “These systems will improve traffic management, strengthen security, reduce delays and make the entire parking experience more seamless,” President Mahama said.
He, however, stressed the importance of ensuring that the technology deployed at the facility remained reliable, secure and easy to use. “As we modernise, we must ensure that technology serves people and that no passenger is left behind,” he emphasised. The integration of smart parking technology is expected to reduce congestion around the airport and make it easier for passengers and visitors to access available parking spaces.
President Mahama also disclosed that several major aviation infrastructure projects were being financed directly through the balance sheets of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). These projects include the new airport control tower, refurbishment of Terminal 2, the transfer concourse linking Terminals 2 and 3, as well as the new car park and hotel development.
According to the President, the government had not provided direct funding to either institution for the projects. “The government of Ghana has not given either of these two institutions one single cedi for these projects,” he stated. President Mahama said the financing model demonstrated how state institutions could undertake strategic infrastructure investments without depending entirely on government funding or additional borrowing.
“This is what we want to see: develop our country, but don’t go to our creditors and ask for money,” he added.
The President also announced progress on aviation infrastructure projects in other parts of the country. He said preparations were well advanced for the construction of a new airport in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. Procurement processes are also underway for the proposed regional airports at Wa in the Upper West Region and Nsuatre in the Bono Region.
In the Ashanti Region, work is progressing on the extension of the runway at Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi. The runway extension is expected to enable the airport to accommodate heavier long-haul passenger aircraft and potentially expand direct international flight connections from Kumasi. “It is my hope that in the near future, passengers will be able to take off directly from Kumasi to other international destinations across the world,” President Mahama said.
The development is expected to strengthen Kumasi’s role as an aviation and economic hub while reducing the need for some passengers in the middle and northern parts of the country to travel to Accra for international flights. President Mahama also announced a new policy aimed at improving the safety and competitiveness of Ghana’s domestic aviation industry. He said he had assented to a new Ghana Customs Act that removes duties and taxes on aircraft spare parts imported by domestic airlines.
According to the President, the measure is intended to reduce maintenance costs for local airlines while encouraging operators to maintain their aircraft to appropriate safety standards. “We want to make domestic airlines safer. If they bring in spare parts to maintain their aircraft, they will come in duty-free and tax-free,” he said. The policy is expected to support domestic airlines by reducing the cost of aircraft maintenance and potentially improving the availability of properly maintained aircraft for local operations.
President Mahama urged contractors and consultants working on the airport project to ensure that the development met the required standards and was completed within the agreed timeframe. He stressed the need for quality construction, value for money, strict adherence to project specifications and effective supervision. “Deadlines must be treated seriously, cost controls must be rigorous, supervision must be continuous, and any challenge that threatens the project’s schedule or quality must be identified early and resolved promptly,” he directed.
The President also commended the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for taking measures against the solicitation of tips from visitors at the airport. He described the practice as unacceptable and said it had the potential to damage Ghana’s reputation among international visitors.
The government, he said, remained committed to improving aviation infrastructure and positioning Ghana as a leading aviation hub on the African continent.
The new airport car park and hotel complex is consequently expected to play a significant role in that broader strategy by increasing parking capacity, providing additional accommodation and commercial facilities, and improving the overall passenger experience at the Accra International Airport.
By: Philbert Amiba Ayuusah