The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene has said the reopening of the Sunyani Airport will help stimulate economic growth in the region.
The Airport, closed since 2015 due to safety concerns caused by visible deterioration of its airside pavement and poor state of infrastructure will on Monday, September 19, 2022, be reopened to traffic.
This followed the commissioning of Phase I of renovation and expansion works of the airport by President Akufo-Addo last month.
Madam Owusu-Banahene made the announcement at the Minister’s Press Briefing yesterday.
She said the reopening of the airport will reduce the difficulties passengers travelling to and from the middle belt of the country endure.
“In October 2019, the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Airports Company Limited jointly funded the Phase One of the Airport Rehabilitation Project at a cost of Fifty-Two point Two Five Million Ghana Cedis. I am happy to report that the Airport is ready for use and Passion Air is set to make its maiden flight on Monday, 19th September 2022.
“While the reopening of the Airport will open up the economic growth potential of the region, as well as ease travelling time from Sunyani to Accra, which takes an average of between Eight (8) to Ten (10) Hours, we see this as an opportunity to promote eco and cultural tourism in the Bono Region and beyond. And for that, we are very grateful, Mr. President. Discussions are far advanced to conclude the Phase Two of the Project which will see a further extension of the runway as well as the building of a new terminal, among others,” she said.
Unprecedented infrastructure development in Bono Region
Touching on other infrastructure developments in the region, Madam Owusu-Banahene stated that no Government in the democratic dispensation of the country has embarked on massive infrastructure projects in her region than the Government of President Akufo-Addo.
On roads, she noted that Government has improved a total of 539.52km of feeder road network under various periodic maintenance interventions across all districts in the region.
This, she said has improved greatly the socio-economic status of towns located along the various corridors in the region.
With regards to health, the Bono Regional Minister mentioned that in the past six years, the region has seen the construction and completion of 19 health facilities including a 60-bed hospital in the Tain District, the Benkasa Health Centre in the Berekum West District and 17 CHPS compounds with staff accommodation dotted all over the region.
She also revealed that there has been significant improvement in the staffing levels of key medical professionals in the region thus, impacting positively on the health delivery in the region.
The doctor-to-patient ratio in the region is 1:10,395 compared to 1:14,896 some 6 years ago.
In the area of education, she disclosed that a total of 78 educational projects have been initiated and are under implementation by the 12 Municipal and District Assemblies in the region. These include dormitories, libraries, classrooms, dining halls, administration blocks, staff quarters, science, and ICT centres.
Source: P
