The Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Jira Yagbonwura Bii-kunu Jewu Soale I, has appealed to government to consider constructing an airport in the Savannah Region to improve connectivity and accelerate development.

The appeal was made during a working visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the Jakpa Palace in Damongo. The visit was part of activities marking the commissioning of the Savannah Regional Passport Application Centre.

The Yagbonwura assured the government of the availability of suitable land within the Gonja Kingdom for the proposed airport, stressing the kingdom’s readiness to support the project whenever the government is prepared to begin construction.

He also expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the timely establishment of the Passport Application Centre in the region, describing it as a significant step toward improving access to essential public services.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, thanked the Overlord for the warm reception and explained that the Ministry is decentralising passport services to seven regional capitals, including Damongo.

He commended President Mahama for his vision of bringing passport services closer to the people and assured Yagbonwura that his request for an airport would be duly communicated to the president.

Savannah Regional Minister Salisu Bi-Awuribe welcomed the establishment of the Passport Application Centre, noting that it would greatly reduce travel time and costs for residents seeking passport services.