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Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh, Upper West Regional Minister, said on Saturday that it is government�s policy to provide every region in Ghana with a functional airport. Such facilities would enhance the operations of commercial flights and promote local business transactions in Ghana. Dr Nsoh said the Upper West Region was, however, faced with some challenges including massive encroachment on the land allocated for the airport. The Regional Minister raised these concerns at a meeting with heads of departments, agencies and services in the region to discuss the challenges impeding the development in the communities. He urged the Wa Municipal Assembly to remove some obstructions in the form of telecommunication masts and street-lights on the approach way to ensure maximum safety and security. He said efforts must also be made to demolish structures which had been built closer to the runway while the Assembly must take interest in protecting public facilities and spaces. Dr Nsoh appealed to telecommunication companies to relocate the masts and warned those who would want to use private and state institutions to thwart development efforts to rethink and rescind their decision. �We will want to caution such organisations and companies to respect the chiefs and people of the region and do the right thing�. The Regional Minister urged the Ghana Airport Authorities and Civil Aviation to protect the airport lands in Ghana from the activities of private developers. Dr Nsoh advised the municipal and district chief executives to collaborate with officials of the Ghana National Fire Service to visit the markets in the communities and help educate traders on best practices on fire safety. He called on people in the region to remain united and pool resources to ensure the rapid socio-economic development of the communities. He, however, challenged the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs to use the traditional norms and customs to fill existing vacancies at Nadowli, Bussie and Pulima paramountcies as well as in divisions such as Zambo, Funsi and Sankana.