Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Ms. Eyerusalem Fasika
The Government has secured a $12.83 million grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance feasibility studies for a number of major infrastructure and development projects under the flagship ‘Big Push’ programme.
Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced the agreement in a social media post yesterday, saying he had earlier in the day signed the grant arrangement with the continental development bank to prepare the selected projects for construction.
According to the Finance Minister, the funding will support detailed feasibility studies for a proposed interchange at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, a project expected to significantly ease traffic congestion around one of the capital’s busiest corridors.
The grant will also cover redevelopment studies for four major markets across the country namely Agbogbloshie in Accra, Techiman in the Bono East Region, Sekondi in the Western Region, and Mankessim in the Central Region.
These markets are considered key commercial hubs, and their redevelopment is aimed at improving trading conditions, safety, sanitation, and overall urban organisation.
In addition, feasibility studies will be conducted for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones to be established in the Afram Plains, Nsawam, and Builsa, the Minister indicated.
According to him, the zones form part of government’s broader industrialisation drive to boost agro-processing, add value to agricultural produce, create jobs, and reduce post-harvest losses, particularly in food-producing areas.
Dr. Forson explained that the grant will finance comprehensive project preparation activities, including full engineering designs, detailed cost estimates, and environmental and social impact assessments.
He said this approach is intended to ensure that all projects are technically sound, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible before construction begins.
“For all these projects, the funding will support detailed feasibility studies to ensure they are ready for construction,” the Minister stated, adding that the government aims to complete the studies early enough to allow work to commence in the near term.
He expressed appreciation to the African Development Bank for its continued support, singling out the bank’s Country Manager, Ms. Eyerusalem Fasika, for what he described as a strong and productive partnership with Ghana.
The Big Push programme is a central component of government’s infrastructure strategy, designed to accelerate economic growth through large-scale, well-prepared public investments across critical sectors of the economy.
By Ernest Kofi Adu