Ghana has secured a US$12.83 million grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance feasibility studies for key infrastructure and agro-industrial projects under the government’s Big Push programme.
The agreement was signed on Thursday by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
According to the finance minister, the grant will fund detailed feasibility studies, full project designs, cost estimates, and environmental and social impact assessments, to prepare the projects for construction.
The projects to benefit from the funding include a proposed interchange at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, as well as the redevelopment of major markets across the country. The markets listed are Agbogbloshie in Accra, Techiman in the Bono East Region, Sekondi in the Western Region, and Mankessim in the Central Region.
The programme also covers feasibility studies for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones to be developed in the Afram Plains, Nsawam, and Builsa, as part of efforts to strengthen agro-based industrialisation and value-chain development.
Dr. Forson said the objective of the grant is to ensure that the projects are technically sound, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable, allowing them to reach construction stage without delays.
“Our aim is to complete these studies early enough to allow construction to begin soon,” the finance minister stated.
He expressed gratitude to the African Development Bank and its Country Manager, Ms. Eyerusalem Fasika, for what he described as strong partnership and continued support for Ghana’s development agenda.
The Big Push programme is expected to play a key role in accelerating infrastructure delivery, improving market infrastructure, easing traffic congestion in key urban centres, and promoting agro-industrial development to support jobs and economic growth.
