Parliament gives approval for loans to improve airports

Page 19, Nov 1, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT has given approval for a $122 million loan agreement between the government and the GK Airports Company Limited for the rehabilitation of the Kumasi, Takoradi and Sunyani airports.
Ghana has 12 airports with seven paved runways of which the Kotoka International Airport is the largest and only airport of international status.
The rehabilitation of the three airports is part of the government’s approach to provide the country with a strong base for increased air traffic.
Under the project, the runway of the Kumasi Airport would be extended from 2,320 metres to 3,000 metres to accommodate bigger aircraft.
A new terminal building would also be constructed with the installation of new passenger bridges, VIP lounge, control tower and a new rescue and firefighting equipment.
The runways of the Sunyani and the Takoradi airports would also be extended while new VIP lounges would be provided and the control towers and fire stations refurbished.
The Finance Committee of Parliament that dealt with the agreement appreciated the immense benefits the country would derive from the implementation of the project and, therefore, recommended the loan to the House for approval.
In another development, the Northern Development Fund Bill, which was placed before the House on October 16, 2008, passed through its second reading stage.
The Bill is to establish a fund to provide additional resources to support accelerated development within the three northern regions.
The Bill received a bi-partisan support with all the Members of Parliament who contributed to the ensuing debate acknowledging the imbalance in development between the north and the south of the country.
They contended that it would be difficult for the government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, if nothing was done to enable the northern part of the country to catch up with the south in terms of development.
The MPs stressed that the fund should be used for the purpose for which it was created to bridge the huge development gap between the North and the South.
In the 2008 Budget Statement, the government said it was setting aside GH¢250 million as seed money for the Northern Development Fund.