Mr. Darko-Mensah (right), followed by Mr. Adda and Mr. Attafuah, touring the facility alongside journalists, officials of GACL and the Aviation Ministry
THE TERMINAL 3 project of the Kotoka International Airport has finally been completed and is scheduled to be officially commissioned by President Akufo-Addo on October 2, 2018.
The $275 million project was started by the previous John Mahama government.
It seeks to aid the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in positioning Ghana as the aviation hub for the West African sub region.
Business Guide has gathered that there have been a total of 36 simulation exercises so far at the new terminal which is ready to serve about five million air passengers per year.
Also, this paper gathered that the facility had commenced life flights, with four flights including Emirates Airlines which transited there and continued to Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire.
These came to light on Friday, September 7, this year, when the newly appointed Aviation Minister, Kofi Adda, and his deputy, Cobbina Darko-Mensah, toured the facility together with officials of the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL).
The visit was to afford the minister familiarize himself with the services of GACL.
The project, which began in 2015, has capacity to process 1,250 passengers per hour, six boarding bridges, seven links, CIP terminal, three business lounges, and 707 car parking slots, among others.
The Director-General of GACL John Dekyem Attafuah told journalists that “so far, all our systems have worked as expected”, adding that the facility shall go live on October 15, 2018.
Addressing the media after the tour, Mr. Adda said “what we have seen is top-class, comparable to any terminal that you will find anywhere in the world.”
He added “professionally done, neat, things well organized, the markings are there and in terms of where to go get whatever service, whether it’s customs, immigration, or even the rest room. Everything is very clear; the walls are looking neat, sharp . . .”
Immediate past Aviation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, was instrumental in seeing to the timely completion of the Terminal 3 and she had always indicated that the dream of President Akufo-Addo is to see Ghana become the aviation hub of the sub region.
Mr. Adda pledged to continue with the good works that have been started in the sector . . .
BY Melvin Tarlue