NEW EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT TAMALE AIRPORT ... (Page 34)

Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale

THE rehabilitated Tamale Airport has been fitted with equipment to enable flights to take off and land safely at night. A test flight to examine the facility would be carried out at the airport tonight.
The facilities include a System Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) and Simple Approach Lighting Systems. A temporary lighting system would, however, be provided for the runway for use during the period of the Ghana 2008 tournament.
The Electrical Manager of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mr Giles Appeadu-Mensah made this known when he conducted the Aviation Minister, Ms Gloria Akuffo, round during an inspection tour of the airport.
The runway has also been marked and demarcated while some damaged portions have been patched. The 2.4-kilometre runway is the second longest in the country after the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
Other facilities the minister inspected included the terminal, the business and VVIP lounges. Work on the airport would be completed by the close of this week.
The rehabilitation work started late last year on the Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi airports at an estimated cost of $45 million.
Ms Akuffo explained that the work was in phases and that after the tournament a permanent runway lightning system would be installed while further works would be undertaken.
According to her, ‘‘we are also holding ourselves in readiness for international direct flights to the airport during this tournament period.”
Madam Akuffo said for that reason, officials of the Immigration Service and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) were preparing themselves for the challenges.
She expressed appreciation for the quality of work done and commended the contractors, the Airforce Command and all other stakeholders for their tremendous support and commitment that had ensured the early completion of the work.
The acting Garrison Commander, Group Captain Caesar, thanked the minister for her efforts towards the improvement of facilities at the airport.
At the moment, talks are ongoing between the command and the aviation authorities on relocating the military from the airport to a permanent site to expand facilities at the place to meet international standards.