The Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) has called on John Dramani Mahama and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to prioritise the upgrading of the historic Paga/Navrongo Airstrip into a regional airport.
In a May 28 press statement, the youth-led advocacy group expressed appreciation for President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive to the GACL to seek private investment for a regional airport in the Upper East Region through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
According to the statement signed by Desmond Ayambire Abire, the Public Relations Officer of PAYOM, there is growing frustration among residents and traditional authorities in the Kassena-Nankana area over the apparent sidelining of the Paga/Navrongo site, despite its historical significance and proven feasibility.
“Radio stations and social media handles have of late been awash with a campaign for a one-sided approach to undertaking such a public investment as a regional airport. Some of the chats and talk shows go as far as to taunt Paga-Navrongo as having already lost the opportunity for the proposed airport.
“The expectation that the officials of the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Upper East Regional Minister would have also visited to assess the Paga/Navrongo Airstrip site, which has served Ghana for over 50 years, has not been met.”
The airstrip, originally constructed in 1939 for military use, has served the nation for over 50 years.
PAYOM indicated that previous feasibility studies, including those under late Joseph Kofi Addah as Minister of Aviation, confirmed the viability of upgrading the airstrip to a domestic airport.
They argue that repurposing the existing facility is not only financially prudent but also offers immediate infrastructure advantages to investors.
“Upgrading the Paga/Navrongo Airstrip into a regional airport will enhance trade between Ghana and the Sahelian countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These landlocked nations rely heavily on efficient transport networks for the movement of goods and people. An airport in Paga/Navrongo will also facilitate commerce and reinforce Ghana’s position as a trade hub within the sub-region,” the statement added.
The statement concluded with a direct appeal to President Mahama and potential investors to rally efforts to upgrade the airstrip.
“We respectfully urge the Government of Ghana, under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to consider upgrading the existing Paga/Navrongo Airstrip as the most practical and financially prudent option for an airport in the Upper East Region. We further appeal to private investors to seize this golden opportunity to put their resources where they can derive the highest returns with minimal investment, and in good time.”
Click here to read the full statement.
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