Former president and leader of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his pledge to see to the construction of the planned Upper East Regional Airport.
Mr. Mahama highlighted the importance of such infrastructure in the region, stating that it will make movement from the extreme eastern North easier and bolster economic activities in the area.
He noted that his government had settled on a site for the building of the airport before leaving office and will ensure it is constructed if it is brought back to power.
“When we came, we had selected a location for the Bolga airport. We’ll continue the project of the Bolga airport. Because it is possible to have a viable Bolga airport,” he stated.
An airport for the Upper East Region has been in the drawing boards since the 80s.
Some works had even commenced particularly the fixing of runways between the 80s and 90s. It, however, stalled and only became topical again in the first tenure of the Akufo-Addo government when the then Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari mentioned a different location as the chosen site for the project other than Anatinga at Sumburugu where some amount of work has been done.
The misunderstanding that trailed the minister’s pronouncement has since been resolved and talks about its construction have reignited in recent times.
However, some people have raised questions about the viability of such a facility in the region.
But addressing such concerns at a rally at Ramsey’s Park in Bolgatanga, Mr. Mahama proposed that, “The plane can take Tamale and Bolga passengers mixed. When it gets to Tamale, it will drop the Tamale passengers. It will take the Tamale passengers going to Accra. It will come to Bolga, drop the Bolga passengers, and take the Bolga passengers who are going back to Accra, straight back to Accra”.
He urged people of the region to vote him and elect Members of Parliament on the ticket of his party to enable him fulfil his promises.
