<<Print>>

Vice President John Dramani Mahama has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Brazilian construction firm, Queiroz Galvao, for the upgrade of the Tamale Airport into an International status. The MoU was signed in the presence of officials of Ghana�s Ministry of Transport. Vice President John Mahama, has been meeting with a team of Latin American and African Ministers in Brazil where he has been discussing Ghana's experiences. He has also been meeting key representatives of countries to source for funds for development projects. The upgrade of the Tamale Airport is part of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) programme expected to boost economic activity in the northern sector of the country. Speaking to a group of journalists last year, John Mahama said �this project is very dear to our hearts and therefore the government is on track to ensuring that this project sees the light of day,� he stated. According to him, the government expects that when the airport is converted to an international one, it would open up the Savannah region by making it a major export hub for agricultural produce and other commodities. Muslims who hope to make the holy pilgrimage to Mecca will also have the opportunity to fly directly from Tamale to the holy city. Making the airport an international one would require extending the runway, building a new terminal and improving upon the existing facilities. Currently, over 1500 passengers use the airport on a monthly basis and number is expected to increase exponentially if the airport is expanded.