The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, has called on residents to rally behind the government in its quest to construct an airport for the region.
He said the airport was urgently needed to boost the local economy and urged the 15 Members of Parliament and concerned individuals to work together to realise the long-awaited vision of the region.
Mr Yakubu made the call at a durbar of chiefs and people of Sumbrungu in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The Minister said a mining company in the region had shown interest in the construction, adding that the government was engaging the company to conclude the necessary terms and conditions.
Mr Yakubu said he would work closely with the Airport Development Committee and gave the assurance that he would seek the necessary clearance for the Committee and seek audience with either the President or the Vice President to speed up the process needed to start the construction work.
In a speech read on behalf of the Chiefs, Elders and ‘Tindaamas (Landowners) by Naba Patrick Ayimbila Asaliya III, who is the Chairman of the Airport Development Committee, said the region was far from the national capital and was the only region among the traditional ten regions without an airport.
He said in the spirit of development and nationalism, the Chiefs and Tindaamas willingly released the land at their own cost, noting that farmlands and other economic trees were destroyed to pave the way for the project.
Naba Asaliya III added that the discovery of gold, oil and industrial clay in commercial quantities in the region further boosted the need for the airport to propel development.
Godwin Nkunu, ISD
