The Minister of Transport, Alhaji Collins Dauda yesterday inaugurated a four million dollar airport built by AngloGold Ashanti at Obuasi.

The airport, a refurbished old airstrip promises to open up a new chapter in the socio- economic development of the Adansi area and the country as a whole.

It has a new terminal building with a control tower for flight information service, fencing, fire station, meteorological equipment, aerodrome markings and other essential ground aids to enhance the safety of flights.

Other facilities at the airport include a welcome area, arrival and departure halls, garage facilities for emergency response vehicles and a manager’s office. The airport, which had a runway of 1600metres by 30m with one meter width shoulders on the either side, would be managed by Gianair Limited, a local aviation company on behalf of AGA.

In an address, Alhaji Dauda said that aviation, apart from being a mode of transportation for perhaps the elite group, was crucial for sustainable development of trade and tourism.

He said “it is vital that airport infrastructures grow in anticipation of the escalating needs of the air transport industry, as this is a capital – intensive sector”.

He commended AngloGold Ashanti for the construction and reactivation of the new airport, emphasizing the need for other stakeholders in the mining industry to emulate the example.

Mr. Frederick Attakumah, the Vice President of Sustainability, said that the construction and the inauguration of the airport was to create value for the communities and its stakeholders and to add significantly to the country’s aviation sector.

He said “AngloGold Ashanti’s track record clearly reflects our belief that our success and future is inextricably linked to the success of the communities within which we operate”.

He announced that the company would soon launch community trust funds at Obuasi and Induaprem which would be critical vehicles for infrastructure and socio- economic development in the communities.

Okofo Sobin Kan II, Dompoasehene and Acting President of the Adansi Traditional Council who presided over the function called for community support in eradicating illegal mining in the area.

Among the dignitaries who witnessed the inauguration were the Municipal and District Chief Executives for Obuasi, Fomena and Jacobu, the members of parliament for Obuasi and Odotobri , the Director- General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Nananom and officials from the Ministry of Transport.