ACCRA, Ghana, 15th September: The $1.3 billion Sentuo Airport Garden City Project is set to introduce a major mix of residential, hospitality, conferencing, healthcare, retail and leisure facilities to Accra’s airport enclave.
President John Dramani Mahama officially performed the ceremonial revealing for the project during a ceremony in Accra.
According to the project brief presented to the President, the development will comprise approximately 582 premium apartments and a 600-room hotel.
It will also feature a conference facility capable of accommodating 2,500 people, healthcare facilities and a modern shopping mall.
The development is further expected to include landscaped gardens and 503 parking bays within a four-storey apartment building, as well as other supporting commercial and leisure amenities.
President Mahama described the facilities as substantial but cautioned that the project’s true value should not be judged solely by the scale of its buildings.
He said the investment must contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economy and create opportunities for citizens.
The President said the hotel, conference centre, residential apartments, retail outlets, healthcare facilities and leisure amenities would require a wide range of goods and services after completion.
He therefore expects the development to create sustained opportunities for Ghanaian entrepreneurs and workers.
President Mahama particularly highlighted the project’s potential to strengthen Accra’s capacity to host international conferences.
He recalled that the capital had previously lost at least two opportunities to host major international conferences because it lacked sufficient conference facilities.
He said one of the conferences was moved to Dakar, Senegal, a development he described as embarrassing for Ghana.
According to President Mahama, the new development would help address the infrastructure gap.
“We’ll have enough hotel rooms. We’ll have enough conference facilities to be able to host even a UN conference here in Accra,” he said.
He said Accra’s growing attraction to business travellers, tourists and participants in major international conferences made it necessary to continue improving the quality and range of accommodation, conferencing and related services.
The President also linked the project to government’s 24-hour economy agenda, noting that aviation, hospitality, conferencing, transport, retail, healthcare and food services could support economic activity during extended hours.
He further urged the developers to ensure meaningful participation by Ghanaian companies and workers during construction and operations.
President Mahama said young people should benefit from apprenticeships, practical training and skills transfer.
He subsequently performed the ceremonial sod-cutting for the project and wished Sentuo Group and its partners success in delivering the development.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭