President Akufo-Addo cutting the sod for the commencement of Pullman Accra Airport City Project in Accra. With him are Catherine Afeku (2nd right), Minister of Tourism and others
President Akufo-Addo on Monday cut the sod for the commencement of the Pullman Accra Airport City Project which will be Ghana’s largest and most distinguished hospitality facility.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo disclosed that the project is “in line with my government’s vision of using an appropriate mix of public policy and public-private investments to help market the country as an exciting destination for leisure, conference, sports, health, educational and cultural tourism.”
In addition to the creation of 1,000 jobs during the construction phase, about 546 persons would be employed when it becomes operational.
The President was happy to learn that Pullman Accra would be the tallest Green-Rated building in Ghana which would make it the second tallest Green-Rated hotel in Africa.
As the co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the President expressed happiness with the development.”
He said “for the past 23 months since taking office we have put in place measures and policy initiatives that are creating an enabling environment for the private sector to flourish.”
President Akufo-Addo told the private partner Inter-Afrique Holdings Ltd that under his watch Ghana would continue to be a great place to do business.
“It’s my expectation that they will be able to address these challenges satisfactorily for they are all very competent in their domain. If it becomes necessary, which I hope it will not, to go higher up the chain of authority, I want you to know that my doors will always be open to you. I do, on the other hand, insist that on your part, you play according to the rules and regulations of the sector and the country as a whole,” he said.
Pullman Project
Pullman Accra Airport City is a joint development between equity partners- Inter-Afrique Holdings Ltd and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), the private sector focused sovereign wealth fund in Ghana with diversified interests in infrastructure and tourism.
The investing partners’ interests are held through Platinum Properties Limited as the Project SPV and asset owner.
The partnership would lead to the opening of the 364-room hotel and serviced apartments, making it the largest hotel and first dual hospitality offering in Ghana.
The facility is set to open in 2021.
Pullman Accra would feature 215 hotel rooms and suites and 149 serviced apartments under the ‘Pullman Living’ brand to ensure extended accommodation in Accra.
Located within the Airport City Enclave, the capital’s emerging commercial hub, Pullman Accra Airport City will be a preferred destination for corporate guests and clients in Accra.
The upper-upscale hotel is anticipated to become the major venue for conferences and events with seven meeting rooms and dedicated banqueting facilities and executive lounge.
In addition, Pullman Accra Airport City would have two restaurants to provide a range of international cuisines, two swimming pools, pool bars, fitness center, wellness spa and lush landscaped areas.
The development would be managed by Inter-Afrique Properties Limited as development manager.
Diagonal Projects Africa would serve as project manager with IBC Equity Partners as transaction advisor and W Hospitality Limited, hotel consultant.
The groundbreaking event follows the signing of the hotel management agreement between AccorHotels and Platinum Properties Limited on October 2, 2018.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent