The Upper West Region is set to benefit from the construction of a new airport in Wa, to be financed through the recently approved Airport Infrastructure Levy.

The levy, which imposes charges on international air tickets, flights within Africa, travel within the ECOWAS sub-region, and domestic tickets, will be paid into a dedicated fund to support airport development across the country.

President John Dramani Mahama announced the project during the launch of the Upper West Shea Park Resource Hub at the Palace of the Wa Naa in Wa. He disclosed that Wa has been selected as a beneficiary of the fund, with plans to build an entirely new airport rather than upgrade the existing facility.

“I’m pleased to announce to you that Wa is going to be a beneficiary of this fund with the construction of a new airport — not the old airport,” the president said.

President Mahama explained that the current airport site is unsuitable, noting that a major road was diverted to accommodate the runway. He revealed that land for a new airport had been allocated several years ago and that officials from the Ghana Airports Company inspected the site two weeks prior to the launch.

“I think construction of a new airport for the Upper West here in Wa will start soon,” he added.

On road infrastructure, the president confirmed that sod-cutting ceremonies have already been held for the Wa–Tumu–Han–Bolgatanga road and the Techiman–Wenchi–Sawla–Wa road. He said the Wa–Tumu road has been awarded in multiple lots to accelerate construction.

“Before I leave office, we will commission the road from Wa through Tumu–Han to Bolgatanga,” President Mahama assured.

He further announced that government is reconstructing the Fufulso–Wa road, citing serious construction defects on the Laribanga–Sawla section. According to him, the road was poorly executed under the supervision of a foreign consultant engaged through an African Development Bank-funded project.

The president lamented that although the consultant was paid by the African Development Bank and had since returned to his home country, there was no mechanism to hold him accountable when the road began to deteriorate years later.

“If he was a Ghanaian consultant, we would hold him responsible for poor supervision of that road,” he said.

President Mahama stated that going forward, government-funded projects will prioritise Ghanaian contractors and consultants to ensure accountability and value for money.

He also revealed that 261 24-hour markets are being constructed nationwide — one in each district — based on a standardised design. Touching on a local dispute over the siting of the Wa market, the President said he would not interfere in the decision. 

“That market is yours. You have to decide where you want to site it,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the Wa Naa, local authorities, and other stakeholders would work together to agree on a location that delivers the greatest benefit to residents of the Wa Municipality.