The Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) has made a passionate appeal to the government of President John Dramani Mahama to consider upgrading the long-standing Paga/Navrongo Airstrip into a full-fledged regional airport for the Upper East Region, describing the move as the most cost-effective, technically feasible, and economically viable option available.

At a press conference held in Paga, the youth group expressed appreciation for President Mahama’s recent directive to the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to pursue a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in the development of a regional airport in the Upper East Region.

However, PAYOM in a statement sigend by its Public Relations Officer, Desmond Ayambire Abire, noted with concern that current discourse and actions surrounding the project appear to sideline the Paga/Navrongo Airstrip, despite its historical significance and existing infrastructure.

Concerns Over One-Sided Approach

According to PAYOM, recent media commentaries and the actions of key public officials, including the Chief Executive Officer of the GACL and the Upper East Regional Minister, suggest a bias toward a new site at Anateem—some 15km from Bolgatanga and 30km from the Paga border. They decried the lack of a comprehensive assessment of the existing Paga/Navrongo Airstrip, stating that this undermines transparency and fairness in such a significant public investment.

“Radio stations and social media platforms have been dominated by a one-sided campaign, with no indication that officials have even visited the Paga/Navrongo site. This gives the impression that decisions have already been made without stakeholder consultation,” the group stated.

They questioned why proximity to Burkina Faso is being cited as justification for the Anateem site when Paga itself lies directly on the Ghana-Burkina border, making it even more strategic from a regional trade and security standpoint.

Historic Significance and Technical Feasibility

Constructed in 1939 and completed in 1940 by the colonial administration, the Paga/Navrongo Airstrip was originally built for military purposes and has served Ghana for over eight decades.

PAYOM cited previous feasibility studies, including one under the late Hon. Joseph Kofi Addah as Aviation Minister, which confirmed the site’s technical and financial viability for conversion into a domestic airport.

“With government now seeking private sector participation, upgrading an existing airstrip offers far greater value to investors than developing a new airport from scratch,” the group argued, stressing that the foundational infrastructure already in place at Paga/Navrongo will reduce capital expenditure significantly.

Strategic and Economic Benefits

PAYOM outlined several compelling reasons why upgrading the Paga/Navrongo Airstrip is the most strategic choice for the region:

1. Proximity to Burkina Faso and Cross-Border Trade
   As a key border town, Paga is well-positioned to facilitate trade between Ghana and Sahelian countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. A regional airport there would strengthen Ghana’s trade links and consolidate its role as a regional economic hub.
2. Boost to Tourism and Investment
   The area is home to major tourist attractions such as the Paga Crocodile Pond and the historic Pikworo Slave Camp, drawing visitors globally. An airport would enhance accessibility, increase tourist arrivals, and attract diaspora investment.
3. Enhanced Security and Emergency Response
   In light of ongoing insecurity in the Sahel, PAYOM argued that an upgraded airstrip at Paga would enable faster deployment of security forces and improve national emergency preparedness.
4. Academic and Cultural Integration

A regional airport in Paga would also encourage educational and cultural exchanges between Ghana and its Francophone neighbours, deepening regional integration.

5. Traditional and Community Support

PAYOM noted that in June 2020, ten paramount chiefs from the Kassena-Nankana area presented a petition to then-President Nana Akufo-Addo calling for the airstrip’s upgrade. The movement described it as a snub that recent discussions have failed to acknowledge the traditional leaders’ advocacy.

Call to Action

PAYOM is urging the GACL to conduct a comparative assessment of the Paga/Navrongo Airstrip alongside the proposed Anateem site. The group pledged its full cooperation to facilitate a site visit, stating that only an objective evaluation can guarantee that the final decision is technically sound and economically prudent.

They also appealed to private investors to consider the substantial cost-saving potential of upgrading an existing facility rather than building a new one. “We urge the government under President Mahama to give the Paga/Navrongo Airstrip the attention it deserves. It is not just a historical site, but a strategic national asset. Let us invest where it makes the most sense,” the group said.

A Call for Fairness and Transparency

PAYOM concluded by reiterating that their advocacy is not based on parochial interests, but on a desire for fair, data-driven, and inclusive decision-making. “We have kept quiet for far too long, believing that fairness would prevail. But the latest actions suggest a ‘win-loss’ approach rather than mutual benefit. Ghanaians deserve clarity and justification for public investment choices,” they stated.

The Paga Youth Movement, together with the Kassena-Nankana community, affirmed their commitment to supporting government, traditional authorities, private investors, and the media in making the vision of an airport in the Upper East Region a reality—one that maximises impact by building on existing assets.