Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari, has announced the commencement of a major expansion and rehabilitation project at Terminal Two of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as part of a broader strategy to decongest the increasingly busy Terminal Three and improve passenger experience.
The announcement was made during a working visit to the facility, where the Minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, and her Deputy, Ms. Obuobia Darko Opoku.
According to the Minister, the move forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to boost Ghana’s aviation infrastructure to keep up with rising passenger volumes and evolving air travel demands.
Terminal Three, constructed during the first administration of President John Dramani Mahama between 2013 and 2017, has increasingly experienced congestion, particularly during peak hours.
Minister Bukari acknowledged this challenge and described the current situation at the terminal as “uncomfortable” for travelers.
“If you go to Terminal 3 at rush hours, you will realise that we have congestion at Terminal 3. What we are doing now is to decongest Terminal 3 into Terminal 2. So we have positioned Terminal 2 into two phases—one for domestic, and the area where we are currently standing will serve international travelers.
“This will allow us to bring some of the international traffic from Terminal 3 into Terminal 2 and create more comfort and space at Terminal 3.”
Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari
The minister further explained that the area of Terminal Two being reconfigured to handle international traffic was not initially designed for such operations.
However, with the proposed adjustments and upgrades, it will soon be equipped to accommodate international passengers, with the Minister adding that the other side of Terminal Two will continue to cater to domestic travellers.
In addition to easing congestion, the expansion and rehabilitation works are expected to enhance the airport’s overall capacity, allowing for greater volumes of both passenger and cargo traffic.
Construction of New Head Office Administration Block
The project, which includes the construction of a new Head Office Administration Block complex and a complete overhaul of existing Terminal Two facilities, is being implemented in phases. The first phase has already been completed, and the second phase is now underway
“This is rehabilitation and improvement. Rehabilitation sometimes takes a lot of time, but they have finished the first phase. They are entering into the second phase, and we are hopeful that by the end of the year or early next year, the whole facility should have been totally renovated and expanded to take care of our travel passengers.”
Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari
The ongoing works align with Ghana’s broader vision of becoming the aviation hub of West Africa. Enhancing the capacity of its international airport is seen as a critical step towards attracting more regional and international airlines, offering better service to passengers, and increasing cargo handling volumes.
GACL, under the leadership of Mrs. Opare and her deputy, has been tasked with executing the airport’s phased upgrade with emphasis on functionality, safety, and passenger convenience.
During the Minister’s visit, the team inspected the areas undergoing refurbishment and discussed timelines and technical requirements to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing airport operations.
The Transport Minister’s remarks also acknowledged the foundational work of the first Mahama administration, during which Terminal Three was constructed—a facility that significantly elevated Ghana’s reputation in global aviation circles.
However, he noted that rising passenger volumes since its opening have necessitated immediate infrastructural responses to maintain high service standards.
The expansion of Terminal Two, when completed, is expected to provide not just spatial relief to Terminal Three but also enhance the overall efficiency of the airport’s operations, especially during rush hours and peak seasons.
Travelers will have access to improved check-in, security screening, baggage handling, and boarding facilities—key markers of a world-class airport experience.
As the project continues, the Transport Ministry has urged the public to bear with any temporary inconveniences that may arise and has assured the travelling public of a more comfortable and efficient airport experience upon completion.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s Upstream Petroleum Sector Rebounds with New Drilling
