Page 4 - LUA September - October 2023 Magzter

COVER STORY

African nations

TURNING SERIOUS ABOUT

ITS CARGO AIRPORTS

The African nations are getting serious about their airports and particularly cargo operations at
airports. This is visible in the efforts of government-controlled airport authorities as well as the
funding they are accepting from foreign investors, Libin Chacko Kurian reports.

n August 22, 2023, Vice-President for flights to and from neighbouring West the programmes of the Northern
of Ghana Mahamudu Bawumia African countries and the Sahel Region. Development Authority (NDA) of Ghana
commissioned the Tamale The Northern Region is renowned for to harness fresh agricultural produce
OInternational Airport Phase II its vibrancy in agricultural and economic for export to other parts of the world
Project in the Northern Regional capital. activities. The location of the airport within and to generate employment and create
The Ghanaian government, along with the Sahelian belt, also referred to as the food wealth in this geographical zone.
Bawumia, hopes that the completion basket of Ghana, is expected to enhance The boost in agriculture would be
of this ultra-modern terminal building access to the market for local agricultural leveraged to support the development
together with a multi-purpose terminal produce, enhance tourism and attract of Agro-based industries in Northern
and other ancillary facilities provide the passengers from neighbouring countries. Ghana. The expansion of the Tamale
needed impetus for increased economic As the vice president puts it, “Indeed, International Airport is expected to
trading activities and to reinforce the status the government intends to use Tamale serve as a catalyst for industrialization
of Tamale as a Sub-Saharan hub airport International Airport to support and rapid socio-economic development.

2 LUA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2023