Despite being completed nearly six years ago, Ho Airport has yet to commence operations, with maintenance costs reaching GH¢2.42 million over the past two years.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Hassan Tampuli, stated, “There is no operation at Ho Airport, but we are still maintaining it.” He elaborated on the financial strain, noting, “We have been relying on these domestic GHS5 (Airport Passengers Service Charge (APSC)) to maintain all these Airports. And that has become very challenging.”
Tampuli emphasized that adherence to international standards necessitates ongoing maintenance of crucial systems, regardless of operational status.
The airport, intended to stimulate economic growth in the Volta Region and surrounding areas, has remained largely inactive since Passion Air ceased flights on the Accra route in March 2022.
With the airport resembling a ‘ghost town,’ there are calls to reinvigorate it to help repay the $25 million loan taken for its development. Maintenance expenditures have been substantial, with GH¢1.59 million allocated for cleaning, landscaping, and waste management, while the remainder was spent on essential repairs and upkeep.
In a related development, the Ghana Airports Company Limited has proposed increasing the Airport Passengers Service Charge (APSC) from GHS 5, a rate unchanged since 2010. This proposal was revealed during a Public Hearing by the Public Accounts Committee on August 15, 2024.
The Managing Director, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, stated that the adjustment aims to support renovations and maintenance of Terminal 2 at Kotoka International Airport, enhancing the passenger experience.
Plans are also underway to alleviate congestion in Terminal 3 by relocating some sub-regional airlines to Terminal 2, with operations expected to commence in a few months.
The Ghana Airport has reported progress in recovering uncollected royalties amounting to GHS 33,800,004, contributing to the ongoing maintenance of airport facilities.
