President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the government has awarded a contract for the extension of the runway at Prempeh International Airport in Kumasi, marking a significant step in efforts to transform the Ashanti capital into a major center for international travel, commerce, and investment.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, during his Thank You Tour of the Ashanti Region, the President announced that the contractor responsible for the project has already begun mobilization, paving the way for construction to commence.
“In the aviation sector, the contract has been awarded and the contractor is mobilizing to site for the extension of the runway of Prempeh International Airport,” he said.
President Mahama underscored that the runway expansion is a central component of his administration’s wider agenda to modernize regional infrastructure and strengthen Ghana’s aviation landscape.
“This expansion will enable larger aircraft to land, significantly improving Kumasi’s international connectivity and positioning it as a gateway for global travel, investment, and tourism,” he added.
The upgraded facility will be equipped to handle wide-body aircraft, opening the door for increased cargo movement, passenger capacity, and direct international flights. Officials say the development is expected to attract foreign airlines, boost trade, and create jobs across the region.
The Prempeh Airport upgrade is part of President Mahama’s broader second-term development blueprint, which prioritizes strategic infrastructure in key sectors such as transport, healthcare, and education. The Ashanti Region, in particular, has been singled out as a vital economic corridor that deserves bold investments to unlock its full potential.
With Kumasi poised to become a new frontier for international logistics and tourism, the runway extension marks a transformative milestone in Ghana’s aviation and regional growth strategy.