An airport for Cape Coast, an idea whose time has come

“For the people of Cape Coast, I have good news for you. We are building a new harbour in Cape Coast and a new airport in Cape Coast.”

With these words uttered by Vice President Bawumia, he captured the public imagination and in one felled swoop, managing to excite and annoy in equal measure. Indeed, thanks must be given to the person who slipped this project into the party manifesto. 

Like the beginnings of many great ideas, it occupied an ignominious spot on a lone page - with all the real-estate of a single line.

Devoid of any context, the seemingly innocuous statement achieved its singular purpose – to provoke critique from media commentators, think tank speakers and CSO spokespersons. And of course, it wouldn’t be a great idea if it didn’t have its critics.

Even in the absence of the ubiquitous social media, Kwame Nkrumah, in the sixties, had to endure more than an ear full of criticisms on the proposal and construction of iconic and visionary projects like the Tema Motorway and Ghana Atomic Energy Agency, to name a few.

The stock (and invalid) argument against pursuing such projects has always been to question whether there are no other pressing national priorities.

Not surprising too, in much of the critique, there is an obvious lack of rich analysis, but rather hyperbolic sentimental reactions masquerading as cogent thought.

Had the manifesto set the airport project in good context, critics might have had the opportunity to engage in a thoughtful interrogation of the merits of the matter.

What follows, is my attempt to engender the beginnings of grounded discussions on the feasibility of the proposed Cape Coast airport project.

Recent History of the Cape Coast Airport

The first documented reference l could trace for this initiative was on page 97 of Mr. Kojo Yankah’s autobiography titled “Our Motherland-My Life” where, as the Central Regional Minister, he details in July 1998 how he set about to plan the construction of an airport in Cape Coast to facilitate tourism.

To quote him, “A consultant Ayeh & Ayeh was engaged to do feasibility studies. Ghana Airforce and Civil Aviation Authority were invited to do aerial survey…. payment for the feasibility studies was done by contractors working in the region who l spoke with. No cost to government. Then followed private companies when the announcement was made in the media: two companies proposed a build-operate-transfer system and we began to evaluate them…The region badly needed an airport. Apart from facilitating travel by tourists and parents of students in cape coaster schools, an airport of any size would provide jobs for the unemployed youth in the area.

When submitted to cabinet it was shot down. The reason? It was NOT a priority and that government was busy working on widening and asphalting the Accra-Cape Coast Road.

The second reference was on radio programme “Anopa Bofo” with Captain Smart where an Aerospace Engineer Matt Afful revealed that the decision was being considered during the Kufour administration. He said, “I remember in the year 2000 under Kufuor government, Boeing Company and I came to Ghana since they had an initiative of building an airport in Cape Coast… The company appreciated the fact that Cape Coast was a tourism center but the plan was not initialized as things did not go on well for them.” The initiative failed.

The Game Changer

In each of these cases private sector actors were sufficiently interested to support preliminary studies. A great airport can fuel regional economic growth. The million-dollar question (pun unintended) is, “if it is built, will it be profitable? The answer is a resounding yes! But only if it is built the right way with the right strategy.

It is obvious to anyone that the two strategic advantages that Cape Coast has is that it serves as a tourism destination (with arguably the most colonial forts and castles in the world) and of course, in the sub-region, it is noted as a center of educational excellence. Just as in the past, shipping, railway and then highway systems have played vital roles in determining a city's economic power, air transportation systems can do the same for our cities, regions and countries.

However, the strategy for the Cape Coast airport must be right to set itself among the international tourism hubs. We must upend the conventional wisdom, to ensure Cape Coast and its environs have sufficient demand for air travel, the right geographic location and a highly developed infrastructure to handle passengers and freight. Even so, having all three elements in place does not guarantee success.

An airport’s ability to grow revenue will also depend, among others, on the economic climate, competition, and consumer demand and price sensitivity. Ideally, airports can meet their operating costs through revenues generated by aviation uses.

The additionality created by the airport

Maybe Cape Coast airport’s potential for economic growth does not lie in the domestic market for air travel; maybe its tourist and freight that will be the secret to its viability.

For the entrepreneur, the investor, the landowners etc. the consideration that must inspire them will be how to take advantage of this opportunity.

 [1] https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/blog/report-outlooks-of-lithium-and-cobalt

To the critics indeed your feedback is very important but we must be constructive in criticism. Let us exercise intellectual curiosity to question laid down assumptions.

To be fair, the aviation expert, Matt Afful, gave a balanced assessment - he added “I see no reason why NPP will build an airport in Cape Coast if it will strictly serve as a hub for the movement of passengers.

But if their initiative is to build [an airport] to serve as targeted tourism airport and the agricultural export airport, then it be relevant”. Let’s ask ourselves why private sector actors are willing to do a Build-operate and transfer BOT? Ask why Boeing was interested in the initiative? We are sitting on opportunity foreigners have seen.

As a son of the soil, l will also add that “Adze papaa wo fie, oye”. l am going to charge our Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan, to move heaven and earth to make this a reality. Another charge for all those in business school, entrepreneurs, investors your next assignment is How can an Airport in Cape Coast Work?

The writer is a management consultant with Circadian Consulting