President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the new GCAA control tower, refurbishment of Terminal 2, the transfer concourse between Terminals 2 and 3, and the new parking and commercial development are being funded entirely from the balance sheets of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GACL) and Ghana Airports Company Limited (GCAA).
Mahama commended the Minister of Transport and other stakeholders involved in the project for securing funding through the balance sheets of the relevant institutions instead of relying on government funding.
He further urged his appointees to take responsibility in developing Ghana by finding innovative ways to fund projects rather than relying solely on government allocations.
According to John Mahama, institutions must drive national development without asking Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson for funding.
The project is expected to feature a seven-storey car park with over 2,000 parking bays, two hotels, a pedestrian connector linking directly to the terminal, a shopping mall with a food court, retail and office spaces, as well as a sky lounge and an observation deck offering views of aircraft landings and take-offs.
Speaking during the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a Multi-Tiered, Multi-Purpose Car Park and Airport Hotels Complex at the Accra International Airport, President Mahama stated, “I wish to commend the Minister of Transport and all those associated with this project. This is what we want to see. Develop our country, but don’t go to Ato Forson and ask for money”.
“Let me state for the record that all these airport projects, the Ghana Civil Aviation’s new control tower, the refurbishment of Terminal 2, the transfer concourse between Terminal 2 and 3, and currently the airport’s parking lots, entertainment and hotel space, are being funded entirely on the balance sheets of the Ghana Civil Aviation Limited, that’s for the control tower, and for all these other projects on the balance sheet of the Ghana Airport Company Limited,” he said.
Also, President John Dramani Mahama backed measures by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other airport agencies to stop workers from soliciting or begging visitors for tips.
According to Mahama, the practice creates a negative impression of Ghana among international visitors.
He called on airport workers to uphold professionalism, discipline and hospitality.
President Mahama highlighted that every interaction between visitors and workers at the airport contributes to the country’s image, from immigration and baggage handling to traffic management and other services.
President Mahama stated, “I’m happy that the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Civil Aviation Authority and other institutions working at the airport are taking a tough stance against soliciting and begging visitors for tips. It reflects very badly on our country”.
“Every institution and every worker at this airport contributes to Ghana’s image,” he said, adding that the welcome at immigration, efficiency in baggage handling, cleanliness and courtesy of service providers all shape visitors’ first and last impressions of the country.
It will be recalled that the GACL has already dismissed two car park workers over alleged involvement in soliciting tips from passengers as part of the broader crackdown.
Watch the video below:
@ghbrain_ LIVE | “Develop our country, but don’t go to Ato Forson for money.” — President John Dramani Mahama. President Mahama has commended the Ghana Airports Company Limited for its ability to fully fund major airport development projects from its own resources, including the construction of the Multi-Purpose, Multi-Tiered Car Park and Airport Hotels Complex. – #ghbrain ♬ original sound – GHBRAIN
@ghnow_ President Mahama cuts sod to officially break ground for new airport car park and hotel complex #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Deputy Transport Minister departs after the sod-cutting ceremony for the new airport complex. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
