Kotoka Airport: Mahama ‘Lied’ About Kotoka International Airport – GACL Sets Record Straight

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has denied claims by former President John Dramani Mahama that about $600 million worth of investment was made into the Kotoka International Airport.

The company, in a statement, stated emphatically that Mr. Mahama lied in an interview on Woezor TV where he stated that ”an investment of almost $600 million was done in that airport, Kotoka International Airport (KIA)”.

According to GACL, ”the claim that an investment of $600 million was made at Kotoka International Airport is incorrect. The amount may be in reference to funding of projects in all airports including $130m Runway project at Tamale Airport and $25m new airport in Ho”.

They also set the record straight on some other statements the President made on the television network.

On his claim that the airport has not been able to service loans to develop it is also untrue.

“The claim that GACL has been unable to service the syndicated loan facility is untrue. To date, GACL has met its repayment obligations under the loan facility,” the company stressed.

The former President also talked about the KIA having to receive about $200 million yearly due to passenger activities.

“If Kotoka is doing about 2 million passengers a year, then $100 multiplied by 2 million passengers is about $200m . . . Government has put in a Capping and Realignment Act. So, out of the $100, they cap it and if the money exceeds 25% of the national budget, all the excess money is put in the consolidated fund,” he said.

But the GACL says ”the APSC charges are applied on departing passgengers only and not on total number of passengers. The revenues earned from APSC are far less than what is being alluded to . . . Revenues from GACL are neither capped nor realigned in accordance with Capping and Realignment Act. Monthly reports on Airport Tax (APSC) are forwarded to Ghana Revenue Authority”.

The airport company further assured the public that the Kotoka International Airport is ”not for sale” and therefore should disregard Mr. Mahama’s assertions.