Mahama Unveils Plan to Boost Aviation Hub
President John Dramani Mahama announced on July 16, 2025, during his Thank You Tour in the Ashanti Region that a contract has been awarded for the extension of the runway at Prempeh International Airport in Kumasi. The contractor is mobilizing to begin construction, aiming to transform Kumasi into a major hub for international travel, commerce, and investment.
The runway expansion, part of Mahama’s infrastructure modernization agenda, will enable the airport to handle wide-body aircraft, increasing cargo and passenger capacity and attracting direct international flights. The project is expected to boost trade, tourism, and job creation in the Ashanti Region, a key economic corridor.
The upgrade aligns with Mahama’s second-term development blueprint, prioritizing transport, healthcare, and education. The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) projects completion by mid-2026, enhancing Kumasi’s connectivity to global markets. The airport, currently handling 600,000 passengers annually, aims to rival Accra’s Kotoka International Airport as a logistics hub.
Local stakeholders, including the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, hailed the project as a catalyst for economic growth, with the potential to support the region’s textile and agricultural exports. The initiative follows earlier upgrades, like the 2023 terminal expansion, and addresses past delays in funding and land acquisition, ensuring Kumasi’s emergence as a key aviation gateway.