President Mahama: New ATC Tower, Other AIA Projects Funded by GCAA, GACL Without Government Funding

President Mahama: New ATC Tower, Other AIA Projects Funded by GCAA, GACL Without Government Funding

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that ongoing airport infrastructure projects at the Accra International Airport (AIA) are being financed entirely through the balance sheets of the relevant state institutions, without direct funding from the Government of Ghana.

Speaking on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the groundbreaking ceremony for a multi-purpose, multi-tiered car park and two hotels at AIA, President Mahama said the financing arrangement was enabling major aviation infrastructure projects to proceed without additional demands on the government’s fiscal resources.

“Now let me state for the record that all these airport projects, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority’s new control tower, the refurbishment of Terminal 2, the construction of the transfer concourse between Terminals 2 and 3 and currently this airport parking lot, entertainment and hotel space, are being funded entirely on the balance sheets of the GCAA – that’s for the control tower, and for all the other projects, on the balance sheet of the GACL,” he said.

“The Government of Ghana has not given any of the two institutions one single cedi for these projects,” he added.

President Mahama commended the Minister of Transport and other officials involved in the projects, saying the financing model demonstrated that development could be pursued without seeking additional funding from the government’s fiscal authorities.

The disclosure came as the President broke ground for the seven-storey multi-purpose car park, which is designed to provide 2,030 parking bays alongside 4,000 square metres of retail, commercial and dining facilities.

The complex will include a shopping mall, restaurants, food courts and banking facilities, as well as a sky-view lounge and sky observatory where patrons can watch aircraft take off and land.

Two hotels will also form part of the development: a 250-room three-star budget-friendly hotel and a 120-room five-star luxury hotel. The facilities are expected to serve travellers, including passengers affected by delayed or rescheduled flights.

A conference facility and fully equipped business centre will further expand the airport’s role beyond passenger transit by providing space for business and corporate engagements.

Infrastructure Driven by Rising Demand

President Mahama said the projects were part of efforts to ensure that Ghana’s airport infrastructure keeps pace with rising passenger numbers and future demand.

According to him, passenger traffic through AIA increased from 1.8 million in 2022 to 2.5 million in 2025, reflecting growing air connectivity and Ghana’s attractiveness for business, tourism, investment and family travel.

He said the growth had, however, placed pressure on airport roads, parking facilities, passenger pick-up and drop-off areas, security operations and the overall efficiency of the airport enclave.

The new car park, he said, would help address these challenges by increasing parking capacity, improving traffic circulation, reducing congestion and making more efficient use of the limited land available at the airport.

He explained that the decision to build vertically would allow the airport to maximise its available space while freeing land for other services required by an international airport.

Wider Aviation Expansion

Beyond Accra, President Mahama announced that preparations were well advanced for work to begin on the new Bolgatanga Airport, while procurement processes were underway for new airports at Wa and Nsoatre near Sunyani.

In the Ashanti Region, work is also progressing on the runway extension at Prempeh I International Airport. The extension, he said, would enable the airport to accommodate heavier long-haul passenger aircraft capable of international travel.

The President said the expansion of regional aviation infrastructure could reduce travel time, connect producers to markets, support emergency services and open new tourism and investment corridors.

He cautioned, however, that such facilities must be carefully planned, commercially responsible and integrated with national road transport systems, local economic strategies and the productive strengths of the respective regions.

He said the broader infrastructure programme was intended to prepare Ghana’s principal international gateway for future demand while positioning the country as a preferred destination, convenient transit point and competitive aviation hub in Africa.

Airport Investments to Boost Passenger Experience

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe, speaking at the ceremony, said significant investments were being made to modernise AIA and strengthen the competitiveness of regional airports.

He said the investments were aimed at improving connectivity and making air travel safer, more convenient and accessible.

According to Mr Nikpe, the car park project would enhance passenger experience, increase operational capacity and accommodate anticipated growth in air traffic.

Beyond these benefits, he said the project would create employment opportunities, generate substantial non-aeronautical revenue and unlock the commercial value of airport lands, in line with the President’s economic transformation agenda and commitment to a 24-hour economy.

He said the airport hotels would form an integral part of the airport ecosystem, serving transit passengers, airline crew, business travellers, tourists and other airport users.

The facilities, he added, would provide world-class accommodation and services while enhancing the competitiveness of AIA within the sub-region.

Mr Nikpe described the project as a strategic investment in the future of Ghana’s aviation industry.

He also said his ministry was closely monitoring other ongoing infrastructure projects, including the new air traffic control tower, Terminal 2 repurposing, runway expansion works and the Advanced Air Navigation and Surveillance Service.

Car Park Positioned as Commercial Investment

The project is also expected to generate additional revenue for the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL).

GACL Managing Director Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare said the multi-purpose car park would serve as a significant revenue-generating investment and an important pillar of the company’s long-term financial sustainability.

She said the facility would create opportunities to increase non-aeronautical revenue through parking, retail, restaurants, offices, hotels and other commercial activities.

“It is therefore more than a car park. It is a strategic commercial development that will contribute to the financial sustainability and growth of AIA,” she said.

Mrs Afriyie Opare clarified that, unlike the airside connecting concourse, which is accessible only to passengers, the multi-purpose car park is located landside and will therefore be open to the general public.

The facility will incorporate smart parking management systems, automatic number-plate recognition, cashless and ticketless operations, parking guidance systems, electric vehicle charging points and centralised CCTV surveillance.

These features are expected to improve traffic management, strengthen security, reduce delays and provide airport users with a more convenient connection to the terminal.

Mrs Afriyie Opare said AIA currently serves 28 scheduled international airlines, two domestic airlines and five cargo airlines, alongside several charter and non-scheduled operators.

She also announced that Air Uganda would begin operating the Accra route in October 2026, followed by Etihad Airways in March 2027.

She said the addition of new airlines, together with rising passenger numbers, underscored the need for continued investment in airport infrastructure and capacity.

The projects, she said, would help position AIA to accommodate future growth while improving passenger convenience, operational efficiency and the airport’s commercial sustainability.