The construction of a new terminal at Ghana’s flagship airport – Kotoka International Airport – is expected to make the country a destination of choice with a yearly target of five million passengers, a statement has said.

A statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Mr Emeka Anuforo, African Development Bank(AfDB)’s Communication Officer,on Fridayin Abuja, stated that AfDB would fund the project with a US$120 million facility.

Anuforo said that the project would improve air transport in the country.

According to him, the project is also expected to contribute towards boosting the country’s economy, reduce the cost of doing business and improve competitiveness.

Anuforo quoted the AfDB’s President, Akinwumi Adesina as saying that the terminal was being built for a successful economic future as its large capacity was a confident statement of intent.

“Ghana is back on the African map as a political and economic force, and I think that an airport terminal facility next year that can handle 5 million passengers per year will be proof positive of that.

“This will help the economy and society of Ghana considerably through enhanced regional integration and employment.

“This is also a tangible implementation of the Bank’s High 5s strategy in Ghana.

“I understand that the construction process is right on time and the quality of the infrastructure is excellent. I want to commend all the staff who have been working on this.”

The AfDB’s Communications Officer was on a three-day visit to Ghana to strengthen cooperation with the country.

He said that the project was scheduled to be readyin 270 days–April 2018.

Auforo said that Ghana’s Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, described the project as strategic to Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.

“I would like to thank the President of the AfDB for coming for this state visit. It has been very good for us.

“We talked a lot about aviation, agriculture, energy and industry. With the type of performance he is seeing here, we are sure to get more funding from the bank,” the statement quoted Atta as saying.

Ghana’s aviation sector has emerged as a crucial driving force behind global socio-economic development and even more crucial for emerging economies in Africa.

The sector has witnessed a significant growth in the past decade due to the discovery of petroleum and gas reserves in the country, sustained domestic demand, and increase in the tourism sector. (NAN)