By Stanley Senya
Accra, April 10, GNA – The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has dismissed claims suggesting that Terminal 2 at the Accra International Airport is obsolete and should not be refurbished.
The Company described the assertions as false, misleading, and misconceived, clarifying that the decisions regarding Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 were based on comprehensive technical and strategic planning.
In a statement issued in Accra, GACL explained that the construction of Terminal 3 was not due to Terminal 2 being obsolete but was informed by a terminal planning study conducted in 2013.
It said at the time, Terminal 2 was the sole facility handling international operations, and undertaking major reconstruction works would have disrupted airport operations significantly.
The Company said such disruption would have negatively affected passenger experience, potentially led to a downgrade of the airport, and caused severe revenue losses.
GACL said the decision to construct Terminal 3 as a new facility was to avoid interference with ongoing operations while expanding capacity.
It noted that the 2013 study also recommended the development of a connecting concourse between Terminals 2 and 3 to enhance operational efficiency.
“This position was further reinforced by the National Airport Systems Plan prepared by Dorsch in 2014, commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and supported by the World Bank,” it added.
It said the report anticipated that Terminal 2 would be refurbished and integrated with Terminal 3, contradicting claims that it was marked for demolition.
The statement said Terminal 2 had undergone continuous upgrades, including the remodeling of parts of the arrivals hall in 2013 and the construction of an extension.
The extension currently houses key State institutions such as the Ghana Immigration Service, National Security, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the Bureau of National Intelligence.
It said these investments demonstrated the continued functional relevance of Terminal 2 rather than abandonment.
The statement explained that following the completion of Terminal 3, international operations would be moved to the new facility, while domestic operations relocated from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.
GACL said expanding international operations through Terminal 2 would complement Terminal 3 and enhance revenue generation.
It said international traffic yields higher revenue and the strategy would strengthen Ghana’s ambition to become a competitive regional aviation hub.
The Company addressing legal concerns, affirmed that all processes related to Terminal 2 since 2013 had been complied fully with the Public Financial Management Act 2016 and the Public Procurement Act 2003.
It emphasised that due process had been followed at all stages of procurement and project execution.
The Company rejected claims that Terminal 2 lacked modern aviation infrastructure, adding that it was already equipped with CCTV surveillance, baggage handling systems, and biometric processing capabilities.
It said ongoing works would introduce advanced technologies, including 3D screening scanners and improved passenger facilitation systems aligned with global standards.
GACL reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that it would respond to public inquiries in line with the Right to Information Act.
The Company said the repurposing of Terminal 2 was a strategic, cost-effective decision aimed at maximising existing infrastructure, supporting growing passenger traffic, and ensuring efficient airport operations without unnecessary capital expenditure.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei