Upper East Airport will ease gold transport, attract investors — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama announced plans for the construction of a new airport in the Upper East Region of Ghana, aiming to facilitate the transportation of gold and lure investors to the area. During a visit to the region on August 13, 2026, Mahama highlighted the current logistical challenges faced by mining companies, who often resort to unconventional methods such as bullion vans or chartered helicopters to transport gold to Accra.

The new airport, with an initial annual passenger capacity of 100,000, will feature a 2.2-kilometer runway, an apron for two aircraft, lighting, an air traffic control tower, rescue and firefighting facilities, and a five-kilometer asphalted access road. Traditional authorities have donated approximately 4,000 acres of land for the project, and the Ghana Airport Company Limited is currently in the procurement stage.

Construction is anticipated to take around 24 months, though contractors have suggested the project could be completed sooner. Mahama emphasized that the new airport would improve air connectivity, reduce transportation difficulties, and unlock economic opportunities for the Upper East Region.