Ho Airport not a misplaced priority — GACL Board Chair

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, James Agalga, has firmly defended the construction of the Ho Airport, rejecting claims that the project is a misplaced priority.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM on Tuesday, April 7, Mr. Agalga addressed growing concerns about the viability and utilization of the Ho Airport, as well as other regional airport projects across Ghana.

Drawing comparisons with global infrastructure strategies, he noted that even countries with highly developed road networks, such as the United States, continue to invest heavily in airport infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce travel time. According to him, Ghana must adopt a similar forward-looking approach to national development.

Mr. Agalga emphasized that airports are not built solely for passenger traffic but serve multiple strategic and economic purposes. These include cargo transportation, aviation training, emergency services, and attracting both local and international investment into underserved regions.

He revealed that the Ho Airport is on the verge of commencing commercial operations, with increasing interest from private investors. Some stakeholders, he noted, are already exploring opportunities to establish aviation training schools at the facility—an area Ghana currently depends heavily on foreign countries for.

“At present, many Ghanaian pilots travel abroad, particularly to countries like Kenya, for training due to the limited number of local aviation training institutions,” he explained. “The existence of the Ho Airport is already changing that dynamic by attracting interest in setting up such facilities locally.”

He argued that without the airport, it is unlikely that Ho would have been considered a viable destination for aviation-related investments. This, he said, demonstrates the catalytic role infrastructure plays in shaping economic activity and regional development.

The Ho Airport, constructed at an estimated cost of approximately $25 million, began in September 2015 and was completed in 2018. The facility features a modern passenger terminal, a runway capable of handling commercial aircraft, and space for auxiliary aviation services.

Originally envisioned as a driver of tourism and economic growth in the Volta Region, the airport is expected to support a range of activities beyond passenger travel, including logistics, pilot training, and maintenance services. Analysts suggest that once fully operational, it could help decentralize economic activity from Accra and open up new opportunities in the region.

Despite ongoing skepticism from sections of the public regarding its cost-effectiveness, Mr. Agalga maintains that the long-term benefits of the project will outweigh initial concerns. He reiterated that strategic infrastructure investments like the Ho Airport are essential for positioning Ghana as a competitive player in regional aviation and for unlocking the economic potential of its regions.