By Eric Appah Marfo, GNA
Accra, Feb. 13, GNA — Madam Dorcas Affo-Toffey, the Deputy Minister of Transport, has urged management of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to adopt innovative strategies and fully utilise the vast airport lands and facilities to generate additional revenue.
“I am here to encourage you to be more innovative and look beyond just aircraft operations and fully utilise our airport land and facilities for commercial purposes,” she said.
She said leveraging the available space for commercial ventures would not only increase revenue but also create jobs and support the Government’s 24-hour economy and resetting agenda.
Madam Affo-Toffey gave the advice on Thursday during an official tour of GACL and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as part of her familiarisation visits to agencies under the Ministry.
The visit was to understand their operations, appreciate the work being done and learn about the challenges confronting them to help improve performance.
The Deputy Minister reiterated Government’s vision to position Ghana as an aviation hub in the West African sub-region, with Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as the destination of choice for travellers.
She assured the agencies of the Ministry’s continued support for the expansion and improvement of airport infrastructure nationwide to facilitate trade, tourism and the efficient movement of people and goods.
As part of the tour, Madam Affo-Toffey inspected ongoing expansion works at Terminal Two, runway expansion and overlay, and the construction of an ultra-modern head office complex.
The Terminal Two project, expected to be completed by mid-year 2027, will operate both domestic and some international flights to ease congestion at Terminal Three.
At completion, the facility will feature two levels with shops, restaurants, lift access and a connection to the departure hall to enhance passenger experience.
The runway expansion and overlay, which commenced in July 2025, is expected to be completed in July 2027.
Madam Affo-Toffey commended Amandi Construction Limited, the contractor handling the projects, for its diligence and the progress of work so far.
She disclosed that she would undertake periodic follow-up visits to ensure that timelines were met.
The Ministry, she said, placed premium on solar energy and that future airport infrastructure projects would integrate renewable energy solutions.
She thanked the management and staff for the warm reception and expressed the hope of returning soon to witness the completion of the ongoing projects.
Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, the Managing Director, GACL, said the Company was decoupled from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority in 2007 with the mandate to manage and operate six airports across the country.
The Company, wholly owned by the Government of Ghana, has grown from about 400 staff to about 1,600 staff nationwide, with over 1,000 based in Accra.
Mrs Opare said the new head office complex was necessary as the Company had outgrown its current office space nearly two decades after its establishment.
She expressed optimism that the completion of the various projects, including the Terminal Two redevelopment, would significantly enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency at the airport.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe