President Mahama has cut sod for expansion works on Tamale airport, in the Northern Region, to begin.

The airport will be able to serve international flights when works are completed in September next year.

The first phase of the project consists of the extension of the runway from the current 2,480 metres to about 3,940 metres and the installation of a complete lighting system to accommodate bigger aircrafts.

Deputy Transport Minister Joyce Motgari, in an interview with Joy News, was confident that timelines for completion of the project would be met.

“In this particular instance, I don’t envisage any such gaps or mishaps in terms of funding, expertise or what-have-you. The money is available…This is a project we are looking forward to”, said Motgari.

Already, preparatory works have commenced on the $100-million upgrading and expansion project..

Brazilian contractors, Queiroz Galvao, have tested the soil and takem measurements for work to begin.

The contractors have also put finishing touches to their accommodation and office structures, comprising warehouses, a laboratory, a canteen and a medical centre at the Air Force base in Tamale.

With an average annual growth of 10%, Ghana’s aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing and competitive in the West African sub-region.

Currently, Ghana’s aviation sector is supported by airports and aerodromes namely Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and regional airports located in Kumasi, Tamale and Sunyani as well as various airstrips dotted around the country.