Ghana launches ambitious aviation projects to become West Africa’s hub | By Dominick Andoh
Ghana is rolling out an ambitious airport infrastructure modernisation programme aimed at positioning the country as West Africa’s premier aviation hub, with funding anchored on a new passenger-based levy approved under the 2026 national budget.
The initiative forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader economic reset agenda, which prioritises transport connectivity and logistics efficiency as catalysts for trade, tourism and investment growth.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address to Ghana’s Parliament on Friday, February 27, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama said: “Passenger traffic handled by the Ghana Airports Company increased to 3.625 million in 2025, from 3.4 million in 2024.
“In response to rising passenger traffic and congestion at Accra International Airport’s new Terminal 3, we are remodelling Terminal 2 into a dual-purpose facility to serve both domestic and international flights, thereby improving operational efficiency and enhancing the overall passenger experience.
Terminal 3 remains among the best in Africa. A new concourse will link Terminal 2 to Terminal 3, supported by a multi-tier 7-floor car park, an airport hotel, and retail amenities, as well as runway expansion and overlay. We will begin work on new regional airports in Sunyani, Bolgatanga, and Wa.”
A key flagship project under the programme is the construction of a connecting concourse between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
The link will eliminate operational bottlenecks created by the current detached terminal configuration, enabling seamless passenger transfers and improving hub efficiency, a critical requirement for attracting airlines and transit traffic.
The terminal integration is also expected to support Ghana Airports Company Limited’s strategy to optimise terminal utilisation by allowing both domestic, regional and international operations to be handled more flexibly across facilities.
Beyond Accra, the programme includes broader investments in regional airport infrastructure, reflecting government efforts to expand domestic connectivity and reduce congestion pressure on the capital’s main gateway.
Other projects earmarked using this funding source, which sits with the Ministry of Transport, include: the construction of a multi-story car park at Kotoka International Airport; New Wa Airport Terminal Building and runway extension; New Bolgatanga Green Field Airport; New Sunyani Airport terminal building, modern air traffic control tower, and extension of the existing runway to 2000meters plus to allow for wide-body aircraft to service the airport.
Sunyani Airport is currently only serviced by Passion Air due to limitations of the runway length. Once completed, domestic jet operators such as Africa World Airlines can also service the airport.
“Soon, I will come and invite you all to go with me to the site to cut sod for the construction of the [ Bolgatanga] airport”, President Mahama said at a recent meeting with traditional rulers of the area.
The financing mechanism signals a policy shift toward user-pay infrastructure funding models common in global aviation markets, while also demonstrating political commitment to long-term sector competitiveness.
For Ghana, the stakes extend beyond aviation. Authorities view the modernisation drive as a strategic economic enabler capable of strengthening tourism flows, regional trade integration and Ghana’s positioning within continental air transport networks.
The programme could significantly reshape West Africa’s aviation competitive landscape, where countries are increasingly investing in airport infrastructure to capture transit traffic and airline investment.
Funding for the new projects
At the center of the program is the newly introduced Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC), which will be applied to passenger tickets over a defined ten-year period. The levy is expected to mobilize approximately US$800 million to finance critical aviation infrastructure projects across the country.
Under the approved framework, international passengers will pay US$50 per trip, while travellers within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will pay US$15, with an additional charge of US$30 for other African routes.
The funding model is designed to correct longstanding structural weaknesses in Ghana’s airport financing system, which previously relied heavily on cross-subsidisation from the profitable Kotoka International Airport to sustain regional facilities.
“By courtesy of the Majority Leader and his Members of Parliament, they have approved the new airport infrastructure development levy so the airport [Bolgatanga Airport and others] will be funded out of that levy”, President John Dramani Mahama said while addressing Ghana’s Upper East National House of Chiefs last week.
Ghana launches ambitious aviation projects to become West Africa’s hub | AviationGhana.com
