President John Mahama has assured local investors that foreign multinationals will no longer enjoy monopoly over the nation’s aviation industry.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepen its Private-Public Partnership agenda to woo local investors to channel their resources into the aviation sector.
President John Mahama was addressing a large gathering at a sod cutting ceremony for the upgrading and expansion of the Tamale Airport to meet international standard.
[contextly_sidebar id=”1xm6qogPZENDbJ0vIMDnouqJ5eTlCZUT”]He expects the completion of the Tamale Airport project to ease traffic at the Kotoka International Airport.
According to him, the project is in fulfillment of the late President John Mills’ promise to upgrade the Tamale Airport as captured in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2008 manifesto.
He explained that the progress formed part of government’s quest to move Ghana to a new age of aviation.
President John Mahama allayed fears that government’s effort to establish a new local airline will fail.
He posited that the new airline will be managed by local private investors and that government will be a minority shareholder.
He therefore invited existing accomplished local airline operators to partner with government to make it a successful venture.
President John Mahama said the airstrips in Wa and Bolga will be upgraded into mini airports to boost Ecotourism and Agribusiness in Northern Ghana.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Muniru mentioned the construction of the Damongo-Fufulso Sawla road, the eastern corridor road, expansion of the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the construction of new markets as part of government’s determination to open the region to other parts of the country.
He cited the Lamashegu market, the Kukuo market, the Tamale Central market and that of Aboabo as some of the facilities government is putting up to expand the local economy.
Alhaji Limuna thereby underscored the need for residents of the area to strengthen their peaceful-coexistence.
Minister for Transport, Dzifa Attivor said government will not fail to resurrect the defunct national carrier.
She thanked President John Mahama for supporting her ministry to transform the aviation industry.
President John Mahama earlier inspected ongoing works at the Lahagu Affordable Housing project.
He also commissioned rural electrification project at Kootingli and later re-cut sod for the completion of the abandoned Aboabo Sheanut and grains market.
Revered traditional rulers including the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani, Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Mahami Bahigu Sheriga and Buipewura Abdulai Mahama Jinapor II who represented the Yagbonwura graced the occasion.
Hundreds of Tamale residents on countless motorbikes flooded the streets of Tamale Township and joined the President’s convoy throughout his rounds.
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana