The Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Jira Yagbonwura Bii-kunu Jewu Soale I, has appealed to the government to construct a domestic airport in the Savannah Region.
The monarch argues that an aerial gateway is the missing link needed to unlock the vast economic and tourism potential of Ghana’s largest geographical region.
The sovereign made this strategic request during a working visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the Jakpa Palace in Damongo.
The ministerial visit coincided with the official commissioning of the Savannah Regional Passport Application Centre (PAC), a milestone in the government’s decentralisation agenda.
Addressing a gathering of sub-chiefs and government officials, the Yagbonwura emphasised that the Savannah Region—home to the world-renowned Mole National Park and the historic Larabanga Mosque—is ripe for an aviation hub to facilitate international and domestic tourism.
To remove any potential bottlenecks regarding land acquisition, the Overlord offered a formal assurance of the kingdom’s cooperation.
He stressed that suitable land has already been identified within the Gonja Kingdom for the proposed project, adding that the traditional authorities are ready to support the construction whenever the government is prepared to break ground.
The primary purpose of the minister’s visit was the inauguration of the new Passport Application Centre, which aims to alleviate the decades-long ordeal of residents travelling to Tamale or Kumasi for basic travel documents.
The Yagbonwura expressed profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the intervention, describing the centre as a “significant step toward improving access to essential public services.”
In response, Mr Ablakwa thanked the Overlord for the warm reception and explained the broader vision of the ministry.
He noted that Damongo is one of seven regional capitals selected for the decentralisation of passport services to reduce the passport deficit in rural areas.
“The ministry is decentralising passport services to seven regional capitals, including Damongo,” the minister stated, commending President Mahama for his vision of bringing services closer to the people.
He further assured the Yagbonwura that his petition for an airport “would be duly communicated to the president.”
The Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Bi-Awuribe, echoed the sentiment of progress, highlighting the tangible financial relief the new centre brings to his constituents.
“This will greatly reduce travel time and costs for residents seeking passport services,” Mr Bi-Awuribe noted, pointing out that students, traders, and Hajj pilgrims from the region would be the primary beneficiaries of the new facility.
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