Accra, Jan 11, GNA - Airports in the regional capitals have being equipped with all necessary facilities in readiness for the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament this month.

Ms Gloria Akuffo, Minister for Aviation, said although works on the airports at Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi were at different levels of completion, they were all expected to be in standard condition to receive the large number of people expected in the country during the tournament. The Minister said this when she toured the Kotoka International Airport to observe preparations that had been made so far towards receiving visitors for the tournament.

Ms Akuffo said she has put up a lot of emphasis on the development of the regional airports because the Kotoka International Airport was a functional one which was well equipped to handle the expected large numbers of passengers.

The Minister said that even though most flights were expected in Accra, a few direct flights may be expected to land at the regional airports, adding that it was thus important to ensure that they were up to the expected air safety standards.