The Member of Parliament for Bantama and former Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has dismissed the idea of constructing an airport in Cape Coast,
He argued that improving road infrastructure is a more practical and economically beneficial solution.
Speaking in Parliament during discussions on the approval of a GHS 3.2 billion budget for the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Asenso-Boakye questioned the need for an airport in Cape Coast, a project that was promised by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the lead-up to the 2020 elections. Despite government justification at the time, analysts have repeatedly flagged the project as unviable.
According to the Bantama MP, the real priority should be the enhancement of road connectivity between Accra, Cape Coast, and Takoradi, which would boost trade and tourism more effectively than an airport.
“If you invest in a very modern highway from Accra to Takoradi, you can do the journey in an hour and a half. That will transform the tourism dynamics in our country,” Asenso-Boakye stated.
He further urged the government to fast-track the completion of the Accra-Kumasi dualization project, emphasizing its importance for economic growth, as over 10 million Ghanaians rely on the route for daily trade and commerce.
Asenso-Boakye also highlighted poor road maintenance practices and the high cost of frequent rehabilitations, calling for a shift towards concrete roads that last longer than asphalt.
“If we take the decision as a country to build concrete roads, we will save money in the long term because they last up to 50 years instead of the current 15-year cycle for asphalt,” he explained.
In conclusion, the Bantama MP advised the current Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, to prioritize projects that bring economic value, rather than committing funds to an airport in Cape Coast.
