Ho Airport (Volta)

Ho Airport: Gateway to the Volta Region’s Tourism and Economic Growth

Ho Airport, located just outside the capital of Ghana’s Volta Region, is one of the country’s newest regional aviation facilities. Though it currently handles limited or no scheduled commercial flights, the airport represents a key piece of infrastructure in Ghana’s long-term plan to decentralize air travel, boost regional development, and promote tourism across lesser-connected parts of the country.

Commissioned with hopes of unlocking the economic and touristic potential of the Volta Region, Ho Airport continues to hold promise despite facing operational challenges since its completion.

Background and Construction

The construction of Ho Airport was initiated in 2015 under Ghana’s broader regional aviation development strategy. Funded by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Airports Company Limited and executed by contractor Amandi Holdings, the project was aimed at reducing travel times to and from the Volta Region, which had previously relied solely on road transportation.

Completed in 2017, the airport features:

• A 1,900-meter asphalted runway, suitable for small and medium-sized aircraft

• A modern terminal building equipped with a check-in area, security screening, baggage claim, and basic passenger amenities

• A control tower and airfield lighting systems

• Taxiway and apron capable of handling aircraft such as the ATR 72 or Dash 8 turboprops

Despite its readiness, the airport faced multiple delays in becoming fully operational due to issues ranging from limited commercial airline interest to low initial passenger demand.

Operational Status and Challenges

Ho Airport saw its first test flight in 2019 and received its first commercial flight in April 2021, operated by Africa World Airlines (AWA) between Ho and Accra. However, after a few months of service, commercial operations were suspended due to low patronage and operational costs.

The lack of regular commercial flights remains a significant challenge. While the airport is structurally ready and has been officially commissioned, limited airline interest and lower-than-expected demand from passengers have kept the facility underutilized.

To revive activity, there have been periodic proposals for chartered flights, private services, and promotional tourism packages involving air travel. However, these have yet to develop into sustainable, long-term air service.

Strategic Importance and Regional Potential

Despite current operational setbacks, Ho Airport holds significant long-term potential. Its strategic location, just a 2–3 hour drive from Accra and near the Togo border, makes it well-placed to serve:

• Cross-border trade and tourism between Ghana and Francophone West Africa

• Religious, cultural, and medical tourism, given the region's festivals, traditional shrines, and hospitals

• Conferences and education travel, particularly related to institutions like the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS)

The airport is also seen as a critical part of the Volta Region’s development agenda, with hopes that air access will attract investors, ease government service delivery, and promote business activities across Ho and its surrounding districts.

Tourism and Cultural Attractions

The Volta Region is one of Ghana’s most scenic and culturally rich areas, and improved air access could transform its tourism industry. Ho Airport could serve as the launching point for visits to:

• Mount Afadja (Afadjato), the highest mountain in Ghana, and the surrounding villages of Liati Wote and Gbledi

• Wli Waterfalls, the tallest waterfall in West Africa, located near the Togo border

• Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, where visitors interact with endangered mona monkeys in a sacred forest

• Lake Volta and Akosombo, offering boating, fishing, and resort activities along the Volta River

• Kente weaving villages like Agbozume and Kpetoe, which preserve Ewe textile traditions

• Annual cultural festivals, such as the Hogbetsotso Festival of the Anlo people, which attract thousands of local and diasporan visitors

With targeted promotion and reliable flight services, Ho could become a regional tourism hub, linking natural beauty, adventure, heritage, and cultural celebrations.

Prospects and Outlook

The success of Ho Airport will depend on several factors:

• Airline partnerships willing to invest in regular scheduled flights, especially to Accra and Kumasi

• Marketing and tour packaging, integrating the airport into domestic and regional travel plans

• Road infrastructure to connect the airport with key tourism destinations across the region

• Private sector investment in hotels, transport, and tourism services to support increased visitor traffic

There have also been calls to explore international charter operations, given the airport’s proximity to Togo and its potential to serve visitors arriving from West African cities with limited direct access to Ghana’s coastal regions.

Conclusion

Though currently underutilized, Ho Airport is an important symbol of Ghana’s efforts to connect all corners of the country through modern aviation infrastructure. It represents both a missed opportunity and a future promise—a project that can still be transformed into a vibrant regional asset through coordinated investment, airline cooperation, and tourism development.

With its modern facilities, strategic location, and the natural and cultural wealth of the Volta Region, Ho Airport has every reason to succeed—provided the right partnerships and policies are put in place to unlock its full potential.