Bolgatanga, Ghana – President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has unveiled plans for the construction of an airport in the Upper East Region to boost economic activities and improve connectivity.
According to him, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company has been directed to begin sourcing funds for the project.
“I’ve also asked the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company to commence the sourcing of funding for the construction of the Upper East Regional Airport,” he said.
He made these remarks in Bolgatanga during his Thank You Tour to the Upper East Region.
Public-Private Partnership for the Upper East Airport
President Mahama explained that the airport project will be undertaken under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, in collaboration with gold mining companies in the region.
This partnership will also facilitate the safe transportation of gold bullion from the Upper East Region to Accra.
“We intend to do this under a PPP model in conjunction with the gold mining companies in this region since this will allow them also to airlift their gold bullion safely to Accra directly from the Upper East Region,” he stated.
Expanding Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy
The President also revealed plans to expand rural electrification through Phase Two of the 10 key electrification projects, connecting more communities to the national grid to boost local economic activities and improve living conditions.
“We also will expand rural electrification through phase two of the 10 key electrification projects connecting more communities to the national grid to stimulate local enterprise and enhance living conditions,” he said.
A significant portion of this initiative, he noted, will include off-grid solar solutions for remote communities that are too far from the national transmission grid.
“A good portion of the electrification program would also include off-grid solar for communities that are too far away from the transmission grid,” he stated.
Unlocking Agricultural Potential Through Irrigation Projects
To further enhance agricultural productivity in the Upper East Region, President Mahama announced his government’s commitment to completing the Tamni Irrigation Project, which will enable all-year-round farming in the Garu-Tempane area.
“To further unlock the region’s agricultural potential, we intend to complete the Tamni Irrigation Project to allow all-year round farming in the Garu-Tempani area of the Upper East Region,” he said.
Additionally, under the Big Push infrastructural projects, his government will invest in the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, which is expected to benefit the Upper East Region significantly.
“We’ll invest in the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam under the big push infrastructural projects to complete it so that it becomes a benefit for the Upper East Region,” he stated.
He also announced plans to update the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) feasibility study and initiate a PPP model for the Nasia Nabogo Irrigation Project, aimed at ensuring a reliable water supply for all-year-round farming and agro-processing.
“We’ll also update the SADA feasibility study and commence a PPP model for implementing the Nasia Nabogo Irrigation Project. This will ensure a reliable water supply for all-year-round farming and agro-processing,” he said.
Healthcare Infrastructure Upgrades
President Mahama further outlined his government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare facilities in the region. Key among these projects is the upgrading of the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital, which will improve medical services and support medical training.
“Among other projects we are targeting for completion and upgrading include the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital to upgrade the facilities there to enhance medical services and support medical training,” he said.
In addition, he revealed plans to commence and complete Phase Three of the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga, which will enhance specialized healthcare services for residents of the region.
“We also will commence and complete Phase 3 of the Upper East Regional Hospital here in Bolga to enhance specialized healthcare services for the residents of the Upper East Region,” he said.
Education Sector Boost
On education, President Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure, highlighting the recent decision to uncap the GETFund, which will provide more funding for school infrastructure projects in the Upper East Region.
“On education, as you heard in the budget presented by the Finance Minister, we have uncapped the GETFund, and this will allow the GETFund to receive more money to continue and complete abundant infrastructure projects in all our secondary schools in the Upper East Region,” he said.
He added that this initiative will help eliminate schools under trees and address the lack of furniture in schools.
“It will also enable us to address the challenge of schools under trees to eliminate the schools under trees and will focus particularly on providing school furniture for schools that currently do not have them,” he said.
A Vision for Transformation
President Mahama’s announcement signals a bold vision for infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and education development in the Upper East Region.
Through strategic public-private partnerships, rural electrification, and key infrastructural investments, his government aims to transform the region into a hub of economic growth and opportunity.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites
) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 
