President John Dramani Mahama says Bolgatanga airport construction to begin by end of 2026

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that construction of the Bolgatanga Airport is expected to commence by the end of 2026.

He said the project was currently at the procurement stage, with the Ghana Airports Company Limited expected to secure the necessary approvals by October to allow construction to begin.

President Mahama said he would return to the Upper East Region to cut the sod for the commencement of the project.

“By the end of the year, we’ll come back here, and we’ll cut the ribbon for the airport to start,” President Mahama said on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during his tour of the Upper East Region.

The airport is expected to take 24 months to complete after construction begins, although the contractor has indicated that the project could be completed ahead of schedule.

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited and Member of Parliament for Builsa North, James Agalga, said the procurement process was ongoing and expressed confidence that the necessary approvals would be secured by October.

“We’re working around the clock. At the moment, we are at public procurement. We’re hoping that by October, we should receive all the necessary approvals to allow for you to come back and cut sword for work to commence in earnest,” Mr Agalga said.

The proposed airport will initially have the capacity to handle 100,000 passengers annually, with the terminal designed to allow for future expansion as passenger numbers increase.

Mr Agalga said the facility would be built on about 4,000 acres of land donated by traditional authorities and would include a 2.2-kilometre runway capable of handling domestic jet and propeller aircraft.

The airport will also have an apron for two aircraft, airfield lighting for night operations, an air traffic control tower, rescue and firefighting facilities, and a five-kilometre asphalted access road.

President Mahama said the project formed part of efforts to expand air connectivity across the country, with new airports also planned for Wa and Sunyani.

He said the Upper East Airport would be an “important enabler of economic activity” and urged residents to patronise the facility when it becomes operational.

“I believe that this airport will be a game changer. And it is my hope that the people of Upper East will patronise it and want to see your passenger numbers climb very quickly,” he said.

The airport is expected to provide direct air connectivity between the Upper East Region and Accra, reducing the region’s reliance on Tamale for domestic air travel.