Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that the ultramodern VIP Lounge project at the Kotoka International Airport is on track for completion and handover by the end of 2026, with the entire facility being financed through corporate social responsibility contributions from local Ghanaian businesses—without touching a single cedi of taxpayer funds .
The Minister made the announcement after inspecting ongoing works at the facility on Friday, September 4, 2026, expressing satisfaction with both the pace of construction and the quality of execution .
Innovative Funding Model Bypasses Public Procurement
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the project represents a departure from conventional government-financed infrastructure. Participating Ghanaian businesses are not channeling funds through government accounts; instead, they release money directly to local contractors of their choice who are undertaking various aspects of the construction and refurbishment works .
“The entire project is modelled as a corporate social responsibility funded by local Ghanaian businesses who release funds directly to the local contractors of their choice working on the VIP Lounge,” Mr. Ablakwa explained in a social media post on Sunday, September 6 . “We are fully delivering this project without touching taxpayer funds” .
The Estate Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is providing supervisory oversight to ensure that construction meets the required standards and specifications, rather than direct financial investment .
Background: A Broader Airport Modernisation Drive
The VIP Lounge project is part of a wider, ambitious modernisation programme being undertaken at Ghana’s premier international gateway. In April 2026, the VVIP Lounge was temporarily closed for one week of renovation works aimed at enhancing safety, comfort, and overall functionality .
President John Dramani Mahama had earlier revealed in April 2026 that a “patriotic” Ghanaian businessman was personally funding a nearly $2 million remodelling of the VVIP lounge at no cost to the government, promising the businessman a lifetime membership to the facility upon completion .
The broader upgrade programme, being led by the Ghana Airport Company Limited, also includes the construction of an ultra-modern concourse connecting Terminals 2 and 3, featuring five new passenger boarding bridges, VIP and business lounges, and new retail facilities—positioning Accra as a leading hub in the West African sub-region .
Symbol of Private-Sector Collaboration
Mr. Ablakwa described the VIP Lounge project as an example of how strategic partnerships with Ghanaian businesses can support the delivery of major infrastructure without placing additional financial burden on the public purse, particularly at a time when public resources face competing demands across several sectors of the economy .
“This project is a great symbol of what can be achieved without public funds and public procurement,” Mr. Ablakwa said .
Upon completion, the upgraded facility will provide a modern and suitably equipped reception point for visiting dignitaries, diplomats, and other high-profile guests arriving through Ghana’s international gateway . With construction now at an advanced stage, attention is focused on the final works before the facility is handed over later this year .
