President Mahama officially has cut the sod for the commencement of works for the second phase of the Kumasi International Airport on Monday amid pomp and pageantry.
He stated that it is his dream to make Ghana become the aviation hub in the West African sub-region very soon, stressing that his administration was already working to achieve that.
According to him, there are concrete plans of building new airports across the 10 regions in the country to help make air travel accessible and easier.
President Mahama said the second phase of works at the Kumasi International Airport would include the construction of a new arrival hall with VIP and business lounges and retail shop.
He disclosed that the works would also include the extension of the runway to 1,800 meters which would pave way for bigger planes from the West African sub-region to land and take off in Kumasi.
President Mahama said he would develop the Kumasi/Accra highway into a dual carriage, adding that all modes of travelling would receive a boost.
He announced that his government would also construct a multi-purpose national theatre with the capacity of 2,500 close to the Kumasi International Airport during his second term in office.
The representative of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asafohene, Acheamfuo Kwame Akowuah, commended President Mahama for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the Kumasi Airport to an international standard.
Transport Minister Fifi Kwetey stated that the improvement of the Kumasi International Airport to a modern standard would go a long way to boost commercial activities in the area.
Charles Kwame Asare, MD of Ghana Airport Company Limited, mentioned that the second phase of works at the Kumasi International Airport was being funded by government.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi