Two new domestic airports are set to open in Ghana, as part of the government's plan to ensure each of the country's ten regions has an airport. Ho Airport, in the Volta Region of Ghana's south east, is a brand new facility, while Wa, in the Upper West Region, has undergone extensive renovations.
Work on the USD25 million Ho Airport commenced in September 2015 and, when completed,it will have a runway of 1900 metres and a terminal building capable of handling 150,000 passengers a year.
The facilities at Wa airport have undergone rehabilitation, with the addition of a terminal building, a new runway and the installation of perimeter fencing, at a total cost of USD1.5 million. The renovated airport will be temporary until a new permanent location can be found.
The airport upgrades are being funded by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), through a USD120 million corporate loan provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is expected that as well as opening up regional areas to business and tourism, the new airports will enable Ghanaians to more easily make the Hajj journey to Mecca.
News site B&FT Online has indicated that there is some concern that Ghana's two local operators - Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Starbow Airlines - will not be able to cover the expanded domestic network. Deputy Head of Commercial at AWA, Richard Kyereh, told the news site that he believes his airline can handle additional growth.
"As an airline, we have our business model and are ready to tap into any opportunity that comes our way, so if the airports in Ho and Wa become serviceable, Africa World Airlines is ready to tap in to this opportunity and service that route effectively."
According to the ch-aviation capacity module, Ghana's current weekly domestic capacity is just over 18,000 seats on three routes: Accra - Kumasi (44%); Accra - Tamale (35%); and, Accra - Takoradi (21%).
