The Kumasi International Airport will, after its commissioning and operationalization, stand to immortalize the memory and name of Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I, the 13th Monarch of the Asante Kingdom.
The facility will serve as restitution for the King’s lost legacy.
According to the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the airport will be named after Nana Agyemang Prempeh I who forfeited himself for exile in return to save Asanteman one more round of a staggering fight with the British.
In November 1924, Agyemang Prempeh I made his return from exile, and this year marks exactly 100 years.
The President’s decision to name the airport after him was connected to the 100th anniversary.
Agyemang Prempeh I owned a house at the expanded airport’s location. During his reign, he recalled, he used his leave of absence to relax in the house near the Kumasi Airport at the time.
The structure, which would have kept the memory of the King alive was destroyed to clear a way for the extension of the airport into an international facility.
In his remarks, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stated:
“That was where Nana used to take his rest. He had a house there. When it was time to expand the airport, the Brazilians came to seek my permission to demolish it. The location housed his residence. Whenever he needed to take a leave of absence, he went there.
“The apartment was there during the days of the Kumasi airport. Not many people knew about it. When the President suggested the name, I told him it was a step in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has thanked the President for making the decision of naming the airport after the late King Prempeh I.
“I thank the President for deciding to name the facility after Nana Agyeman Prempeh I”
Meanwhile, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister of Transport, claims that the Kumasi International Airport will be inaugurated and used in June 2024.
He said that if the airport was open to traffic, it would make things easier for people who fly from the north of the country and have to drive to Accra to go on international trips.
According to the Ghana Airport Company, the brand-new facility is anticipated to serve 800,000 passengers annually.
Meanwhile, the Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah says the Kumasi International Airport will be commissioned and put to use in June 2024.
But as per Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Kumasi International Airport Project, which was slowed down for a really long time is supposed to be finished in April this year.
Kumasi Airport Is Almost Ready To Begin Operations
He explained that the huge part of the funds needed to complete the capital-intensive project has so far been released by the government to the contractor for work to resume.
The Finance Minister said the government is currently expected to pay the excess 2,000,000 euros for the project, which was slowed down, to be completed.
He promised that the two million euros would be paid off within a week.
“This project would have been completed sometime ago but for the problem that we faced. Having said that, we have made renewed efforts to address those challenges.
“Part of the outstanding amount of money which was to be paid for work to resume has been paid to the contractor,” the Finance Minister said when he visited the airport.
“What is left is about just two million euros which we are going to pay within one week so that the contractor would have no excuse as far as funding is concerned, to work to bring the project to completion.”
Dr. Amin Adam, who sounded positive, said,
“I’m impressing upon them to make sure by April 2024 they bring their work to a closure so we can use the airport.”
He believes that the completion of the Kumasi International Airport project will significantly enhance both air travel and people’s lives.
The Finance Minister reiterated his call on the contractor to expedite works so the project would be completed within the next two months, for it to be opened for public use.
