A site in Komenda in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipality of the Central Region has been recommended as most suitable for the proposed airport to be constructed in either Western or Central Region.
The area was recommended out of six potential sites in both regions after a two year feasibility study done by Ayeh and Ayeh Consultancy that was contracted by the Ministry of Transport.
The potential locations comprised two sites in Takoradi in the Western Region; two others in Komenda (including the recommended one) and two additional ones in Cape Coast.
However, the final decision on whether the project would be constructed in Central or Western Region would be taken by the government in the coming weeks.
A Senior Partner of the Consultancy, Leslie Alex Ayeh, gave highlights of the study when he presented the report to the Sector Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, in Accra, yesterday.
He said the Komenda site was chosen as most suitable as a result of the study showed that it would have minimum negative impact on people, environment and economic resources.
“Three sites were initially suggested but we added three more for better assessment .That does not mean the other sites are not good, but it is a recommendation for the government to make the final decision,” he said.
Mr Ayeh said the process of choosing the site involved baseline studies, geophysical, topographical, environmental and social issues; meteorological matters, costs, technical requires and the vision for constructing the airport.
When the site is chosen, he said, the project could be done in three phases, with phase one comprising airside; navigation area, runway, terminal and landside involving fuel farm, airport city, car park, office building, access road, cargo yard and warehouses.
He said a dual-carriage access road would be constructed to link Cape Coast and Takoradi Highway in addition to the building of power plant, water tower, security and fire posts.
He said the phases could be restructured based on the decision on the government, while the development strategy would involve a 10-year expansion programme after every decade.
Mr Ayeh said the airport would help improve air cargo business due to increased e-commerce; create jobs, make Ghana the most preferred AirTran port hub, thereby boosting the socio-economic growth of the country.
“It would also be a centre of aviation excellence with the provision of a state-of-the-arts maintenance repair and overhaul centre for West Africa and beyond,” he said.
Commenting on the report, Mr Asiamah said it would be submitted to cabinet in the coming days for its perusal and feedback after which their final decision would be communicated to the public.
He said it was after the cabinet decision that the total cost, timelines and other information would be known because some changes suggested by the cabinet would change the cost of the project.
Initially proposed to be constructed in Cape Coast, the airport project is expected to improve air connectivity across regions and boost tourism and international trade.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
