Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the ongoing construction of an ultramodern VIP Lounge at the Accra International Airport will be completed and handed over before the end of the year, without drawing on public funds.
Ablakwa disclosed this in a Facebook post on Sunday, following an inspection of the project on Friday. He said he was impressed with the pace and quality of work at the site.
"We are fully delivering this project without touching taxpayer funds," he said.
According to the minister, the facility is being delivered as a corporate social responsibility initiative, with local Ghanaian businesses funding the works directly. He said these businesses release funds straight to the local contractors of their choosing who are handling construction, while the Foreign Ministry's Estate Bureau's role is limited to supervision to ensure standards are met.
Ablakwa described the project as a model of what can be achieved without public funds and public procurement.
The VIP Lounge, used for high-level dignitaries and official guests, was temporarily closed in April 2026 for a week of renovation works aimed at enhancing its safety, comfort and overall functionality, as part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to upgrade key national infrastructure. The current project appears to build on that upgrade drive, with Mr Ablakwa's latest inspection pointing to a more substantial redevelopment nearing completion.
