Prez Mahama to cut sod for GHC multi-million airport complex by end of August

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to officially break ground before the end of August 2026 for the construction of a seven-storey multi-purpose car park and airport hotel complex at the Accra International Airport, as part of broader efforts to modernise the country’s premier aviation gateway.

The project, being undertaken by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), follows the recent relocation of the existing Terminal 3 car park, which was closed on July 20 to facilitate the development . Preliminary works have already commenced, with the contractor mobilising to site and hoarding works set to begin imminently .

GACL Managing Director Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare confirmed the timeline during a site visit with Parliament’s Committee on Roads and Transportation on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. “We’ve started this project, we’ve handed over to the contractor and they are mobilising to site now as we speak,” she stated. “At the end of this month, God willing, we would invite His Excellency the President to come and cut sod. Then we will continue the construction and, God willing, in 24 months from now, this project should be up and will be commissioned” .

A Multi-Purpose Facility Designed for the Future

Mrs. Opare provided further details on the complex’s design, explaining that it will feature two underground parking levels, while the ground floor will be developed into a modern shopping mall with retail outlets, restaurants, and food courts . The remaining five floors above will be dedicated to vehicle parking, dramatically increasing the airport’s capacity to handle growing passenger traffic .

In a significant move to enhance passenger experience, the upper section of the building will house two distinct hotels: a luxury hotel open to the general public and a dedicated airport hotel for passengers affected by flight delays or cancellations . An observatory will also be constructed between the two hotels, allowing visitors to watch aircraft take-offs and landings through a controlled booking system .

Aligning with Broader Aviation Upgrades

The car park and hotel project is part of a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade at the airport. It follows the recent reverting of the facility’s name from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport as part of President Mahama’s broader “resetting” agenda . The GACL is also rolling out new technologies, including 3D analogue baggage scanners, to streamline passenger processing .

This push for modernisation comes alongside a runway expansion project—the first in three decades—which is increasing the runway width from 60 metres to 75 metres, scheduled for completion by July 2027 .

To finance these ambitious projects, the government introduced the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC) in the 2026 national budget, which imposes a levy on international travellers. Mrs. Opare expressed confidence that Ghanaians would support the charge once they see the tangible improvements to facilities .

During the construction phase, GACL has established a Terminal 3 Car Park Annex with capacity for over 600 vehicles to ensure uninterrupted parking services for airport users .