Government is preparing to commission the Kumasi Airport, now named Nana Agyemang Prempeh I International Airport, on May 10.

President Akufo-Addo will be present for the event, alongside Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Minister of Transport Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited Yvonne Nana Afiriyie Opare, and other dignitaries.

The airport is expected to commence full operations by June this year after the commissioning.

Under the management of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, the Kumasi Airport is currently undergoing equipment testing for domestic and international flights.

It can handle over 800,000 passengers annually, primarily serving the northern and middle belt regions, meeting the rising demand for air travel in the area.

Contractors have revealed plans to expand the runway and demolish outdated facilities once the new terminal is operational. During a recent tour of the project, Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah expressed satisfaction with the progress but also highlighted concerns about the long-term maintenance of the facility.

He emphasised the airport's significance for the socioeconomic development of the Ashanti Region and Ghana as a whole.

According to the Transport Minister, the airport's establishment will alleviate the stress of international travel for residents of Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, Northern, and Upper Regions.

They will no longer need to travel to Accra to access an international airport, which will boost regional connectivity and ease travel logistics.

During a courtesy call at the Manhyia Palace, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended the government for realising the project.

He noted that with the Ashanti Region's vibrant economic activities, the International Airport would create job opportunities and stimulate the local economy.

Phase II of the project, which began in 2018, includes the construction of a new terminal building capable of handling one million passengers annually, two boarding bridges, a road network, perimeter fence, substation, and parking lot, among other facilities.

According to the government, the completion of these phases will further enhance the airport's capacity and services, facilitating more efficient air travel in the region.