The chiefs and people of the Upper East Region reminded President Akufo-Addo of his promise to construct an airport in the region.
The paramount chief of the Sekote traditional area, Naba Sigri Bewong, during a durbar, stated that the president made this commitment during the run-up to the 2016 elections, specifically at the Sumbrungu chief’s palace.
The chiefs emphasized that President Akufo-Addo reiterated this promise while launching the One-Village-One-Dam project in the Bongo district.
“Having been elected as president and almost ending his second term, we would like to also make a passionate appeal to him to, as a matter of urgency, honour his promise by pooling resources to continue and complete this partly developed site into a functioning airport,” he stated.
Naba Bewong, the paramount chief of the Sekote traditional area, highlighted the spirit of development and patriotic nationalism among the people of the Upper East region.
He mentioned that, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the people willingly released 7051.44 acres or 2,8853.72 hectares of land in the Sumbrungu community to the government for the development of an airport.
However, despite this contribution, the Upper East region remains the only one among the original ten regions without a functional airport or concrete plans for development. Naba Bewong expressed disappointment, stating that successive governments have lacked the political and financial will to construct the promised airport.
“This development is something the community finds very unfortunate given the level of destruction to economic trees and arable land that have taken place at the site, as well as the series of promises made by various governments to the good people of Sumbrungu in particular and the Upper East Region in general.”
The people of the Upper East region emphasized the necessity of constructing an airport in the area to catalyze investment and propel the country’s development.
The region boasts the discovery of gold, oil, industrial clay, and other minerals in commercial quantities. The durbar held at the proposed airport site featured cultural performances and traditional dances, symbolizing the region’s eagerness for the realization of the promised airport project.
Gabriel Agambila, Chairman of the Upper East Airport Development Committee, highlighted the challenges faced by travelers due to the absence of an airport in the region.
“Every time our people need to catch a flight, they have to embark on long and stressful road journeys to Tamale. This not only adds to the inconvenience but also places our citizens at risk of armed robbery attacks, particularly during late-night travel to catch early morning flights.”
Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East regional minister, commended the chiefs, Tindaamas, and people of the region for the concerted effort to advocate for the construction of an airport in the region.
He said he is engaging with the government and investors to see to it that an airport is constructed in the region.
He, therefore, charged the 15 MPs of the region to back the people of the region in realizing the airport dream.