Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that the ongoing ultramodern VIP Lounge project at the Accra International Airport is on course for completion and handover before the end of 2026, with the facility being developed without recourse to taxpayer funds.
Mr Ablakwa made the announcement after inspecting the project on Friday, September 4, 2026, where he expressed satisfaction with both the pace of construction and the quality of work being executed at the facility.
The Minister subsequently disclosed that the project is being financed entirely through corporate social responsibility contributions from Ghanaian businesses, with participating companies providing financial support directly to local contractors responsible for different components of the development.
He explained that the financing structure has deliberately been designed to ensure that government does not have to commit public funds to the project, while also allowing private sector organisations to contribute directly to the improvement of an important national facility.
Mr Ablakwa said the participating businesses do not channel their contributions through government. Instead, they release the funds directly to contractors of their choice who are undertaking various aspects of the construction and refurbishment works.
He stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not financing the project from the public purse, describing the arrangement as a practical demonstration of how private sector participation can support the delivery of major infrastructure without placing additional pressure on government finances.
The Minister further disclosed that the Estate Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been assigned a supervisory responsibility to monitor the project and ensure that the construction meets the required standards.
According to him, the Ministry’s involvement is therefore focused on oversight and quality assurance rather than direct financial investment in the project.
Mr Ablakwa described the initiative as an example of what can be accomplished through collaboration between government and local businesses, particularly at a time when public resources face competing demands across several sectors of the economy.
He said the project demonstrates that strategic partnerships with Ghanaian businesses can contribute to the development and improvement of national infrastructure while reducing the need for direct government expenditure.
The upgraded VIP Lounge is expected to significantly improve the experience provided to visiting dignitaries, senior officials, diplomats and other high profile guests who arrive in Ghana through the Accra International Airport.
The facility occupies an important position within Ghana’s international gateway infrastructure because it serves as one of the principal reception points for distinguished visitors entering the country.
The latest development builds on earlier efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to modernise the facility and improve its safety, comfort and overall functionality. An earlier refurbishment programme at the VIP Lounge was also undertaken with private sector support as part of efforts to enhance the standard of facilities available to official guests.
With construction now progressing steadily, Mr Ablakwa is confident that the ultramodern facility will be completed and formally handed over before the close of the year.
The Minister’s announcement places particular emphasis on the financing model behind the project, presenting it as a potential example of how corporate social responsibility can be harnessed to support national development without creating additional obligations for taxpayers.
If completed within the projected timeline, the upgraded VIP Lounge will provide Ghana with a more modern and suitably equipped reception facility for high profile visitors while also demonstrating the potential of private sector collaboration in the delivery of public infrastructure.
