Private Citizen Petitions Mahama To Halt Sentuo Airport Garden City Project Over National Security Concerns

A private citizen, Hon. Samson Asaki Awingobit, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama against the siting of the US$1.3 billion Sentuo Airport Garden City Project close to Ghana's strategic military and defence installations.

The petition is in respect of the project at 10 Giffard Road, Airport Residential Area, Accra, for which the President performed the sod-cutting on 15th September, 2026.

According to the petition, the project being developed by Sentuo Group will comprise 582 premium apartments, a 600-room hotel, a 2,500-capacity conference facility, healthcare facilities, a shopping mall and other commercial amenities.

Hon. Awingobit said he is not opposed to the investment or to legitimate Chinese investment in Ghana, but is concerned about the strategic location of the development and its possible national security implications.

He noted that Giffard Road is directly associated with the military-security landscape of Accra, running from the 37 Military Hospital through El-Wak, Burma Camp and towards the eastern part of Accra, which are identified as military zones.

He is questioning whether the Ghana Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence, National Security, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ghana Airports Company Limited and other relevant agencies have conducted a comprehensive security assessment of the location, design, height, technological infrastructure and access arrangements.

The petition also raises concerns about who will control the security infrastructure of the complex, including telecommunications, surveillance cameras, access-control systems and data networks, and warns that elevated buildings with direct views towards sensitive installations could be exploited.

Citing international experiences, including cases in Dubai and Cambodia where properties were associated with cybercrime, fraud and money laundering, he said Ghana must ensure robust due diligence, beneficial-ownership checks, tenant screening and continuous security oversight.

He is therefore requesting:

1. Immediate suspension of further construction pending a comprehensive national security assessment.

2. Commissioning of an independent multi-agency security assessment involving the Ministry of Defence, Ghana Armed Forces, National Security, Police, GCAA and GACL.

3. A comprehensive strategic land-use review to determine the height, density and other implications.