The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has signed a US$12.83 million grant agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance feasibility studies and detailed design work for major infrastructure projects under the government’s Big Push programme.
The agreement was signed with the AfDB’s outgoing Country Manager in Ghana, Ms. Eyerusalem Fasika, and is aimed at accelerating project preparation to enable timely construction.
The grant will fund comprehensive feasibility studies, full engineering designs, cost estimates, as well as environmental and social impact assessments for a proposed interchange at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, a project intended to significantly ease traffic congestion in the capital.
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It will also support feasibility studies and detailed designs for the redevelopment of four modern markets in Agbogbloshie, Techiman, Sekondi, and Mankessim. In addition, the funding will cover comprehensive studies for the establishment of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in the Afram Plains, Nsawam, and Builsa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Forson expressed gratitude to the AfDB for its continued support, stating, “On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana, I thank the Bank for its continued partnership.”
He commended Ms. Fasika for her tenure, describing her leadership as meticulous and results-driven. “Ghana has secured significant financial resources and technical support from the AfDB through her stewardship,” he said.
The Finance Minister expressed optimism that the feasibility studies would be completed in time to allow construction works to begin, ideally by the third quarter of the year.
In her remarks, Ms. Fasika thanked the Government of Ghana for its strong cooperation and support, noting that the partnership between the AfDB and Ghana has been instrumental in achieving key development milestones. “Together, we have given it our best shot,” she said, while reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development agenda.
