Ghana Plans $12 Million Investment in Regional Airstrips | By Dominick Andoh
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to construct airstrips in regions without operational airports as part of efforts to improve emergency air transport, facilitate medical evacuations and stimulate the growth of general aviation in Ghana.
The proposed initiative will provide landing facilities in underserved regions, enabling aircraft to operate in emergencies where access to air transport is currently limited.
“We are going to provide an airstrip in every region that does not already have an airport. Sometimes there are emergencies, and sometimes medical evacuations are necessary. At the moment, some regions do not have landing sites for aircraft,” President Mahama said during a courtesy call by chiefs of the Western North Region.
He added that the planned facilities would feature runways approximately two kilometres long and small control offices to support aircraft operations, particularly during emergencies. Western North is among the regions expected to benefit from the initiative.
Airstrip projects could cost up to $24 million
The proposed programme is expected to cover at least eight regions, with the Eastern, Central, Western North, Ahafo, Oti, Bono East, Savanna and North East regions identified as potential beneficiaries.
An aviation engineer and consultant with extensive experience in aerodrome construction, who spoke to AviationGhana.com on condition of anonymity, estimates that each airstrip could cost between $1.5 million and $3 million, depending on the scope of construction and the infrastructure provided.
The baseline estimate covers site preparation, runway construction, navigational aids, supporting infrastructure and professional services.
Additional facilities and equipment could push the cost of individual projects towards $3 million.
Based on the eight regions listed, the programme could require an estimated $12 million to $24 million if a new airstrip is developed in each region. The final cost will depend on the number of projects approved, the availability of existing facilities and the infrastructure required at each site.
Existing airstrips offer opportunities for cost savings
The development programme could also benefit from an assessment of existing airstrips across the country, some of which remain identifiable but are either disused, seldom used by the Air Force or affected by encroachment.
Several designated airstrip sites have reportedly been taken over by residential and commercial development, while others require rehabilitation or further assessment before they can be returned to service.
The Kete Krachi airstrip, for instance, is reportedly well maintained, with limited encroachment and an existing weather station. The Navrongo airstrip is also identifiable on the ground and from the air, although encroachment along its southern boundary may require remedial action.
The situation in Koforidua is more challenging. The designated airstrip is no longer in existence, with a significant portion of the land occupied by residential development. Establishing an operational facility there may therefore require the identification and acquisition of an alternative site.
Other locations that could be considered under the initiative include Ada, Akim-Oda, Axim, Bole, Saltpond, Sefwi-Bekwai, Tema, Wenchi and Yendi.
A comprehensive assessment of these sites could help determine whether rehabilitation, the clearance of encroached land or the development of entirely new facilities would offer the most cost-effective solution.
New infrastructure could stimulate general aviation
Beyond emergency medical evacuations and improved regional connectivity, the proposed airstrip programme could support the expansion of Ghana’s general aviation sector.
Reliable regional landing facilities could create opportunities for light aircraft operations, charter services, pilot training, aircraft maintenance and other aviation-related businesses. They could also support the development of a broader ecosystem of aviation professionals, including pilots, engineers and technicians.
For the initiative to deliver these benefits, however, construction will need to be accompanied by appropriate operational arrangements, maintenance funding, safety oversight and clear plans for the long-term management of the facilities.
