Yagbonwura Calls for Savannah Regional Airport Construction
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 to unlock the vast economic and tourism potential of Ghana’s largest geographical region.
Addressing a gathering of sub-chiefs and government officials during a working visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the Jakpa Palace in Damongo, the Yagbonwura emphasised that the Savannah Region is ripe for an aviation hub to facilitate international and domestic tourism.
The Yagbonwura 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 ministerial visit coincided with the official commissioning of the Savannah Regional Passport Application Centre (PAC), a milestone in the government’s decentralisation agenda aimed at alleviating 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, noting that Damongo is one of seven regional capitals selected for the decentralisation of passport services to reduce the passport deficit in rural areas.
The Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Bi-Awuribe, echoed the sentiment of progress, highlighting the tangible financial relief the new centre brings to his constituents, particularly students, traders, and Hajj pilgrims from the region.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
