ACCRA, Ghana, 27th August: Passengers and visitors to the Accra International Airport are set to have access to a wider range of accommodation, shopping, dining and business facilities following the commencement of construction of a new multi-purpose airport complex.
President John Dramani Mahama, who cut the sod for the project, said the development would include two hotels with a combined capacity of 370 rooms.
The complex will feature a 120-room, five-star premium hotel targeted at high-end travellers, alongside a more affordable 250-room, three-star hotel.
President Mahama said the different accommodation options would give travellers greater choice depending on their budgets and needs.
“This is much more than just a car park,” the President said, describing the development as an integrated airport facility designed around the needs of modern passengers, business travellers, tourists, airline operators and the wider public.
In addition to the hotels, the seven-storey complex will contain retail and commercial facilities, restaurants, shopping areas, banking and traveller services and a food court.
It will also provide offices that can be rented by corporate users and travellers who need to conduct meetings before boarding their flights.
A covered pedestrian sky bridge will connect the new development directly to Terminal 3, while a sky lounge and sky observatory will provide additional leisure and hospitality experiences for visitors.
President Mahama explained that the sky observatory would provide visitors with an opportunity to watch aircraft arriving and departing from the airport.
He said the combination of parking, accommodation, retail, dining and business services would make the airport enclave a more vibrant economic centre.
According to him, the project would support longer transit stays, create new commercial opportunities and enable visitors to conduct business more efficiently within the airport environment.
The facility will also incorporate modern technology, including automatic number plate recognition, a cashless and ticketless parking system, parking guidance systems and electric vehicle charging points.
A centralised CCTV surveillance system will also be installed to strengthen security and improve traffic management within the parking facility.
President Mahama said the development would help consolidate the Accra International Airport’s position as a true 24-hour facility.
He further called for energy efficiency, responsible waste management, water conservation and environmentally responsible construction practices throughout the project.
The President said the development formed part of government’s efforts to ensure that Ghana’s principal international gateway keeps pace with the country’s economic growth and development ambitions.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭