Francis Asenso-Boakye, the MP for Bantama and former Minister for Roads and Highways, has opposed the plan to build an airport in Cape Coast, arguing that the region needs improved roads rather than an airport.
He believes that enhancing road infrastructure would be a more practical and economically beneficial solution. During a parliamentary debate on a GHS 3.2 billion budget for the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Asenso-Boakye questioned the necessity of an airport in Cape Coast, a project promised by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the 2020 elections. Although the government justified the project at the time, analysts have consistently pointed out that it may not be viable.
Asenso-Boakye emphasized that improving road connectivity between Accra, Cape Coast, and Takoradi should be the priority, as it would have a more significant impact on trade and tourism than an airport. He suggested that a modern highway from Accra to Takoradi could reduce travel time to an hour and a half, which would greatly enhance the country’s tourism industry.
He also urged the government to expedite the completion of the Accra-Kumasi dualization project, highlighting its importance for economic growth, as over 10 million Ghanaians depend on this route for daily trade and commerce.
Addressing concerns over poor road maintenance and the high cost of frequent repairs, Asenso-Boakye advocated for the use of concrete roads instead of asphalt, arguing that concrete lasts up to 50 years, compared to the 15-year lifespan of asphalt roads. He advised the current Minister for Roads and Highways to focus on projects that deliver economic value, rather than allocating funds to the proposed airport in Cape Coast.
