The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Airports Company
Limited (GACL) Mrs. Yvonne Nana
Afriyie Opare, accompanied by 25 board members, has paid an inspection
visit to Bolgatanga to assess the proposed airport site, renewing optimism over
the commencement of the long-awaited project.
The visit enabled the delegation to examine the current
condition of the site and interact with key local stakeholders who have
sustained access to the area over the years. Prominent among them is The
Alagumgube Group, founded by Gabriel Agambila, which has undertaken several
critical interventions using its own resources to support the project.
Speaking during the visit, Gabriel Agambila disclosed that
the group graded the runway entirely with its own funds, stressing that the
action was motivated by commitment to regional development rather than any
expectation of compensation.
“This airport is very important to our people. We did not
wait for funding before acting. We used our own resources to grade the runway
because access had to be maintained,” Agambila said.
He further revealed that a philanthropic son of the region
single-handedly paid for the cadastral plan, a vital legal requirement for the
airport project to progress.
“Someone from this region took it upon himself to fully fund
the cadastral plan. That shows how much the people believe in this project and
what it means for our future,” he stated.
Agambila also explained that for the past three years, the
Alagumgube Group has consistently filled washed-out culverts leading to the
runway to ensure accessibility, especially during the rainy season.
“Every year, the rains wash away access routes. For three
years now, we have been filling the culverts with our own money just to make
sure the runway remains reachable,” he added.
During the inspection, the GACL CEO was captured on video
commending the Alagumgube Group and its founder for their selfless
contributions, praising the use of personal funds to prepare the site.
“What you have done here using your own resources is
commendable. It shows true commitment to development,” the CEO remarked.
Due to the delegation’s tight schedule and an urgent onward
journey to the Upper West Region, a group photograph could not be taken, as
engagements were ongoing with one of the board directors at the time of
departure.
Expressing gratitude after the visit, Agambila thanked the
GACL leadership for visiting the region and assuring stakeholders that
construction of the airport is expected to commence, hopefully in the second
quarter of the year.
“We are grateful to the CEO and the Board for coming here in
person. Their assurance that work could begin in the second quarter has
restored confidence and hope among our people,” he said.
The inspection visit is being hailed as a major step toward
the realisation of the Bolgatanga Airport, a project expected to enhance
connectivity, stimulate economic activity, and accelerate development across
the region.
By
