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The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene is optimistic the reopening of the Sunyani Airport will help stimulate economic growth in the region.
The Airport closed in 2015 due to safety concerns caused by the visible deterioration of its airside pavement and poor state of infrastructure will on Monday, September 19, 2022, be reopened to traffic.
This follows the commissioning of Phase I of renovation and expansion works of the airport by President Akufo-Addo last month.
Madame Owusu-Banahene made the announcement at the Minister’s Press Briefing, a weekly platform put together by the Ministry of Information for Regional Ministers to provide updates on developments in their regions on Thursday, September 15, 2022, in Accra.
She said the reopening of the airport will reduce the difficulties passengers travelling to and fro the middle belt of the country endure.
“In October 2019, the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Airports Company Limited jointly funded Phase One of the Airport Rehabilitation Project at a cost of Fifty-Two point Two Five Million Ghana Cedis. I am happy to report that the Airport is ready for use and Passion Air is set to make its maiden flight on Monday, 19th September 2022.
“While the reopening of the Airport will open up the economic growth potential of the region, as well as ease traveling time from Sunyani to Accra, which takes an average of between Eight (8) to Ten (10) Hours, we see this as an opportunity to promote eco and cultural tourism in the Bono Region and beyond. And for that, we are very grateful, Mr. President. Discussions are far advanced to conclude Phase Two of the Project which will see a further extension of the runway as well as the building of a new terminal, among others,” she said.
*Unprecedented infrastructure development in Bono Region*
Touching on other infrastructure developments in the region, Madame Owusu-Banahene said no government in the democratic dispensation of the country has embarked on massive infrastructure projects in her region than the government of President Akufo-Addo.
On roads, she noted that the government has improved a total of 539.52km of feeder road network under various periodic maintenance interventions across all districts in the region. This she said has “improved greatly the socio-economic status of towns located along the various corridors in the region.”
With regards to health, Madame Owusu-Banahene said in the past 6 years, the region has seen the construction and completion of 19 health facilities including a 60-bed hospital in the Tain District, the Benkasa Health Center in the Berekum West District and 17 CHPS compounds with staff accommodation dotted all over the region.
She also noted that there has been significant improvement in the staffing levels of key medical professionals in the region thus, impacting positively on the health delivery in the region. She said the doctor-to-patient ratio in the region is 1:10,395 compared to 1:14,896 some 6 years ago.
In the area of education, she disclosed that total of 78 educational projects have been initiated and under implementation in the region undertaken by the 12 Municipal and District Assemblies in the region. This includes dormitories, libraries, classrooms, dining halls, administration blocks, staff quarters, science, and ICT centers. I
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