Impact of Upper East Airport on Healthcare: Prof Millar’s Perspective

Prof David Millar is a revered academic from the savanna of Ghana. In critical issues, he is one of the few voices that add spice to the discourse. Thus, he has commented on the Airport Project expected to be built in the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga.

Some people applaud the news from President John Dramani Mahama. Others feel it is the least of priorities for the region. As the discourse continues, opinion leaders continue to advance their thoughts on the project.

Prof David Millar’s Comments

According to of David Millar, the U/E airport will serve health purposes. It will also serve security purposes. These features challenge arguments about its commercial viability.

Prof David Millar is the President of Millar Open University in the Upper East Region. He has shared his thoughts on the ongoing discussion about the proposed regional airport.

For decades, there has been talk of building an airport in the Upper East Region. Prof David Millar shares that the airport’s first purpose was to support the transportation of minerals. It was meant to offer emergency health and security services. This was instead of just catering to passenger traffic.

During an exclusive interview, Prof David Millar shared his view with Dreamz FM’s James Nana Tsiquaye. They discussed the debate surrounding the new airport’s commercial viability. They also talked about potential passenger numbers. He firmly stated that such concerns should not be a priority.

The University president emphasized the positive impacts of having an airport on healthcare services in the area. He pointed out that patients now struggle with emergency medical transportation. They often spend as much on ambulance services as they would on a plane ticket. They still experience difficulties with ground transportation.

According to Prof Millar, using air transportation can hasten the transport of critical patients. They can be moved to specialized healthcare facilities nationwide. This result in life-saving outcomes.

He responds to critics who doubt the wisdom of devoting government funds to airport construction in the area. He argues that other urgent matters should be prioritized. These skeptics believe the airport would not bring enough profit or tangible advantages to justify its creation.

The ongoing discussion remains a prominent topic. Residents and stakeholders in the Upper East Region are deliberating on key infrastructure priorities for upcoming development.

About Prof David Millar.

Professor David Millar is the President and founder of the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS). It is also known as Millar Open University. This institution is located in Bolgatanga, Ghana. MITDS was established in 2014 and is recognized as the first fully Ghanaian-owned university. It offers an Open University System in the country’s educational landscape.

Under Professor Millar’s leadership, the institution has introduced several initiatives to enhance higher education and tackle regional challenges. In May 2023, MITDS launched six postgraduate certificate courses. These include Policy and Strategy Studies, Information and Informatics, University Administration, Advanced Business Administration, International Relations, and Agribusiness Studies.

The above programs were developed in response to demands for career-oriented courses catering to professionals seeking to advance their skills.

Additionally, the university has been proactive in research and development, particularly about environmental issues affecting Northern Ghana. Professor Millar has been instrumental in promoting the Grass Charcoal Briquettes Technology, which transforms grass—often considered a nuisance—into quality charcoal. This innovation aims to mitigate annual bushfires, combat climate change, and offer different livelihoods for local communities.

In October 2023, Professor Millar spoke at the 3rd Research and Development Conference in Wa. He advocated for the government to set up a dedicated research fund. He emphasized allocating a specific percentage of national income to university research. This allocation is essential to bridge the gap between applied research and policy implementation.

In July 2024, Professor Millar emphasized the potential of locally sourced grass biochar. It is seen as a sustainable solution for improving soil fertility. This approach offers an Eco-friendly choice to chemical fertilizers and empowers farmers with accessible resources to enhance agricultural productivity.

Through these efforts, Professor David Millar continues to drive MITDS’s mission of providing quality tertiary education. He fosters innovative research that addresses contemporary challenges in Ghana and beyond.