Mahama Sets 24-Month Deadline for Upper East Regional Airport

President Mahama says construction of the long-awaited airport will begin before the end of 2026

BOLGATANGA, Ghana — After years of promises, plans and discussions, the long-awaited Upper East Regional Airport has been given a fresh timeline.

President John Dramani Mahama says construction of the airport at Sumbrungu-Kulbia is expected to begin before the end of 2026, with the project targeted for completion within 24 months once construction starts.

The President announced the timeline on Thursday, August 13, during his working visit to the Upper East Region.

For many people in the region, however, the announcement raises one simple question:

Will this finally be the moment the airport moves from promises to actual construction?

From plans to a construction deadline

President Mahama said the project is currently going through the procurement process, with the government working to complete the necessary steps before the end of the year.

According to reports, Ghana Airports Company Limited is expected to obtain the necessary approvals by October, allowing construction to commence before the end of 2026.

The President has subsequently set a 24-month completion target once work begins.

If construction starts before the end of this year and remains on schedule, the airport could potentially be completed around 2028.

That timeline is now important because residents have heard about the project for years.

Why people in the region want the airport

For residents of the Upper East Region, the proposed airport is not simply another government infrastructure project.

It could change how people travel to and from the region.

At present, many travellers heading between the Upper East and Accra rely heavily on road transport, which can involve long journeys.

A functioning regional airport could provide another option for businesspeople, government officials, tourists, students, professionals and ordinary travellers.

President Mahama believes the airport could also help open the region to investors and create new economic opportunities.

That could be particularly important for a region with significant agricultural and commercial potential.

More than just an airport

The potential impact of the project goes beyond passengers boarding and leaving aircraft.

A functioning airport could make the Upper East Region more accessible to investors looking for opportunities in areas such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and trade.

It could also make it easier for businesses to connect with customers and partners elsewhere in Ghana.

For tourism, improved air access could help make attractions in the region more accessible to visitors who may otherwise be discouraged by long road journeys.

In other words, the airport could become part of a broader effort to connect the Upper East more closely to Ghana's economic centres.

But residents have questions

Despite the renewed promise, there is also some frustration.

The airport project has been discussed for a long time, and some residents have questioned the repeated inspections and announcements surrounding the proposed facility.

Some have argued that the focus should now move away from inspections and promises and towards actual construction work on the ground.

That sentiment is understandable.

After years of waiting, what many residents want to see now is not another ceremony or announcement, but contractors, equipment and construction activity at the site.

The clock starts when construction begins

The government's latest timeline gives the project two important targets:

Construction: Before the end of 2026.

Completion: Within 24 months after construction begins.

Meeting the first deadline will therefore be the immediate test.

The government will then have to maintain the pace of construction to meet the second.

As with any major infrastructure project, procurement, financing, contracting and construction challenges could affect the schedule.

That is why the coming months will be crucial.

What happens next?

The next major development will be the completion of the procurement process and the selection of the contractor for the project.

After that, attention will shift to whether construction actually begins before the end of 2026.

For the people of the Upper East Region, the hope is straightforward: after years of waiting, they want to see the airport become a reality.

President Mahama has now put a deadline on the table.

The public will be watching to see whether the government delivers.

Global Pulse GH's take

The Upper East Regional Airport has the potential to become an important piece of infrastructure for the region, but the significance of today's announcement will ultimately depend on what happens next.

A 24-month promise is important. Construction starting on schedule will be more important. And completing the airport will matter most of all.

Global Pulse GH will continue to follow the project and provide updates as the government moves from procurement to construction.

This is a developing infrastructure story and will be updated as new official information becomes available.