At the heart of the bustling Upper East Region, debate has swirled over the government’s ambitious plan to construct a regional airport, a project championed as a catalyst for connectivity and economic growth.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Regional Minister Donatus Atanga Akamugri took to the podium at his administration’s first press soiree, determined to set the record straight amidst mounting accusations of exclusion and betrayal.
Addressing journalists and stakeholders, Mr. Atanga confronted claims that he and his office had disregarded certain interest groups and mishandled the acquisition of community land earmarked for the airport. With a calm but resolute tone, the Minister explained that every step of the process had been guided by both legal precision and respect for local customs.
“All the documentation required for this project has been duly secured,” Mr. Atanga assured the gathering. “The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), in partnership with our chiefs and landowners, carefully prepared a cadastral plan and indenture. Only the legitimate landowners were signatories—if you’re not a landowner, you cannot sign. Some have misconstrued this as trespassing, but that is simply not true.”
He revealed that more than fifteen chiefs and community leaders had recently visited his office to formally affirm their consent for the project, dispelling speculation and clearing a path for construction.
Working in tandem with Members of Parliament such as Hon. James Agalga, Mr. Atanga, and the RCC ensured the airport project was included in the national budget, a clear signal, he said, of the government’s commitment. Officials from the Ghana Airport Company, along with the Civil Aviation Director and board members, have also toured the designated site, expressing readiness to commence work once all remaining formalities are complete.
“If all goes according to plan, we anticipate breaking ground as early as June 2026,” the Minister projected, hinting at a possible presidential inauguration of the airport the following February. “This airport belongs to all of us. We must unite and not let personal interests undermine progress.”
The Upper East Airport project, a flagship initiative under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, is poised to transform the region, yet it has not been without controversy. Some local voices have raised concerns about transparency and fairness in the land acquisition process. Mr. Atanga’s latest clarification comes as government officials and community stakeholders work to ensure every document is in order, every voice heard, and every legal requirement satisfied before construction begins.
As the dust settles on the latest debate, the region watches closely, hopeful that the dream of an airport and the promise of new economic opportunities will soon become reality for all.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
