Mahama to build airstrips across regions without airports, Western North in focus

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct airstrips in Ghana's regions lacking airport facilities, a move aimed at strengthening emergency response capabilities and enabling rapid medical evacuations across the country.

The announcement was made during a courtesy visit by chiefs from Western North Region, which currently operates without a functional commercial airport. Under the initiative, regions without existing airports will receive airstrip facilities approximately two kilometres in length, complete with small control offices to manage aircraft operations.

"We are going to provide an airstrip in every region that does not already have an airport," President Mahama stated. "Sometimes there are emergencies, and sometimes medical evacuations are necessary. At the moment, some regions do not have landing sites for aircraft."

Who will benefit and how

The infrastructure rollout will prioritise regions currently without airport facilities. Western North has been identified as one of the primary beneficiaries, addressing a significant infrastructure gap in that region. The President clarified that regions already equipped with operational airports will not require additional airstrip facilities, ensuring resources are directed to underserved areas.

Each airstrip will include basic operational infrastructure—a control office—to enable safe aircraft movements during medical emergencies and other critical situations. The two-kilometre length specification suggests facilities designed to accommodate regional aircraft and emergency evacuation flights rather than commercial jet operations.

Why it matters for Ghana

This initiative addresses a critical healthcare and emergency response challenge facing many Ghanaian regions. Limited air transport infrastructure has historically complicated medical evacuations for patients requiring specialist treatment in urban centres, potentially affecting outcomes in time-sensitive cases. Rural and regional areas without airports face particular disadvantages when emergencies arise.

The airstrip programme reflects broader infrastructure development priorities aimed at reducing regional disparities and improving service delivery across Ghana. By enabling faster emergency response, the facilities could improve survival rates for critically ill or injured patients, particularly in remote communities where road transport proves inadequate.

From a regional development perspective, improved air connectivity—even for emergency purposes—can support economic activities and reduce the sense of isolation felt in underserved regions. Enhanced infrastructure often catalyses broader investment and development opportunities.

Implementation outlook

While the President outlined the scope and specifications of the planned airstrips, details regarding timeline, budget allocation, and phasing of construction across multiple regions remain unclear. The success of this initiative will depend on adequate funding, skilled project management, and ongoing maintenance of these facilities once operational.

Regional coordination will be essential, as airstrips must integrate with national emergency response systems, aviation authorities, and healthcare networks to function effectively. Training of control office personnel and establishment of emergency protocols will also be necessary for safe operations.