The Ministry of Transport Ghana has justified the introduction of the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge, describing it as a necessary step to generate revenue for upgrading the country’s aviation facilities.
The levy, which took effect on April 1, 2026, imposes a $100 charge on intercontinental travellers, while domestic passengers are required to pay GH¢100.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament on April 2, the Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, said the funds raised will be used to modernise airport infrastructure and position Ghana as a competitive aviation hub in Africa.
He explained that key projects to be funded include the rehabilitation of the airport’s ageing sewerage system, expansion of parking facilities, and the construction of a hotel to serve transit passengers.
“Our sewage treatment plant is over 25 years old and almost at full capacity. We also face serious congestion at the car park, especially during peak hours, with vehicles spilling onto the streets,” he said.
The Minister added that plans are underway to construct a new car park with an attached hotel facility to improve passenger comfort, particularly for travellers with long layovers.
He further disclosed that government intends to build a connecting concourse between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, which will include additional passenger amenities such as lounges.
“Every day when you pass at the airport peak hours, our car park is too small to the point that the cars overflow to the street and create traffic congestion. We need a new car park at the airport.
“Other airports, you will have short stay assuming you have a connecting flight that will take you three to four hours and you needed some rest, there should be some hotel facility so the car park will come with hotel facility attached to it so that it will create some comfort for our travelers,” he stated.
He added: “The biggest one is connecting concourse between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. We are building connecting concourse that will have other facilities like lounges to serve our passengers.”
Mr. Nikpe noted that since 2012, the Ghana Airports Company Limited has not implemented comprehensive levies to support major upgrades, making the new charge critical to addressing infrastructure gaps.
He maintained that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance efficiency, improve passenger experience, and strengthen Ghana’s position in the regional aviation sector.
