Data Scientist and Policy Analyst, Alfred Appiah, has criticised the John Mahama government’s plans to buy a new airport in Bolgatanga (Upper East Region) capable of 100,000 passengers annually.
The Policy analyst argued that the proposed Bolgatanga airport, capable of 100,000 passengers annually, lacks a published feasibility study justifying the use of public funds despite past regional airport failures.
In his post, Alfred Appiah cited the Ho Airport’s $25M cost and minimal traffic (2,467 passengers in 2023, adding that in recent times GACL has been paying to maintain the idle facility ever since.
He also detailed the Wa Airport’s roughly 25,000 annual passengers, supported by GCAA data showing most regional airports generate low revenue against high operating costs.
Alfred Appiah called on the Mahama government to publish the feasibility study for Ghanaians to argue about the numbers before concrete is poured.
In a post on X, the Policy Analyst wrote, “Ghana says the Upper East Region needs an airport, so it is building one capable of handling 100,000 passengers a year.
Where is the feasibility study that justifies committing scarce public resources to it?
We have already run this experiment. Ho Airport cost about $25 million dollars and was projected to handle 150,000 passengers a year. It received its first commercial flight in April 2021. The airlines withdrew soon after, saying the route did not make economic sense. It handled 2500 passengers in its last active year (2023). GACL has been paying to maintain an idle facility ever since.
Two years ago the Auditor-General found that most of Ghana’s regional airports were not commercially viable.
Nearby Wa airport handles about 68 passengers a day. Fewer than 30,000 in a year, on Ghana Airport Company’s own numbers.
So for Bolgatanga:
– What passenger volume is projected, and on what assumptions?
– What is the benefit-cost ratio?
– What alternatives were costed, including road access?
– What does the environmental assessment say?
None of this is a foreign standard. L.I. 2411 already requires a pre-feasibility study, a full feasibility study covering economic viability and environmental impact, and a Seal of Quality from the Finance Minister certifying that the project has a positive Net Present Value, before it can be procured or funded.
The wider point is bigger than Bolgatanga. We have normalised announcing infrastructure first and justifying it later, if at all. Ho is what that habit costs.
Publish the study. Let the public argue with the numbers before the concrete is poured, not after”.
His comment follows President Mahama, who disclosed that construction of the Bolgatanga Airport is expected to commence by the end of 2026.
According to John Mahama, the project is at the procurement stage, with the Ghana Airports Company Limited expected to secure the necessary approvals by October
Speaking on his tour of the Upper East Region, Mahama stated, “By the end of the year, we’ll come back here, and we’ll cut the ribbon for the airport to start”.
Mahama argued that the project formed part of efforts to expand air connectivity across the country, with new airports also planned for Wa and Sunyani.
“I believe that this airport will be a game changer. And it is my hope that the people of Upper East will patronise it and want to see your passenger numbers climb very quickly,” he said.
See the post below:
Ghana says the Upper East Region needs an airport, so it is building one capable of handling 100,000 passengers a year.
— Alfred (@CallmeAlfredo) August 14, 2026
Where is the feasibility study that justifies committing scarce public resources to it?
We have already run this experiment. Ho Airport cost about $25 million… pic.twitter.com/lZhLchZKId
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