Since the Bank Group commenced operations in Ghana in 1973, it has invested over USD 1.6 billion on concessionary terms in all sectors of the country's economy. In the transport sector, the Bank has financed four road studies, eight road projects, one railway project, and one Multinational road project (UEMOA-Ghana Road Program I) for a total amount close to USD 400 million.
The Bank's focus on transport fully complies with the strategic development plan of the country (Ghana's Growth & Poverty Reduction Strategy II, 2006 - 2009) and the Bank's 2005 - 2009 Country Strategy for Ghana.
The Bank's current project portfolio includes four on-going road projects, accounting for almost 30% of net commitments.
The specific outcomes of all these ongoing projects are to promote regional integration and economic development by reducing the travel time and vehicle operating costs, resulting in reduced road user costs for both passengers and freight.
The on-going projects are as follows:
Tema - Aflao Road Rehabilitation Project ($60 million): The project involves the rehabilitation of the 50 km Akatsi to Aflao section (plus a 7.2 km Bypass at Akatsi) of the Tema - Aflao road which is a major section of the Accra-Lome highway (Abidjan-Lagos corridor). Construction is expected to be completed by December 2011.
Akatsi - Dzodze - Akanu Road Project (USD 40 million): The Akatsi-Akanu Road is an alternative section of the Accra-Lome highway. Given that Aflao is contiguous to Lome, the construction of the Akatsi-Akanu road (30 km) will give the opportunity for road users to bypass the Togolese capital. Construction works are expected to be completed by December 2011. Upon completion of the Akatsi-Aflao and Akatsi -Akanu roads, two corridors towards Togo will be operational, thereby increasing movement of goods, people and services within the ECOWAS region.
Road Infrastructure 2003 (Nsawam ByPass) Project (USD 32 million): This project complements the Accra - Kumasi road which is the main north - south road corridor in the country. The bypass project comprises 9.3 km of road with four associated bridges including an over pass. Completion is scheduled for December 2011.
UEMOA/Ghana Road Programme 1 (Techiman - Kintampo) (USD 55 million): This multinational project involves in Ghana, the reconstruction of the 60 km link between Techiman and Kintampo as part of the Tema-Ouagadougou-Bamako road corridor as well as the construction of a joint border post at Paga. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2011.
In addition to the four on-going projects, the Bank recently approved a USD 80.90 million loan for the Awoshie - Pokuase Road and Community Development Project which seeks to provide integrated solutions to urban development in the Greater Accra Region, one of the main challenges for Ghana. The project which is being co-financed with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has an urban focus to ease traffic congestion in the northwestern part of Accra.
With regards to promotion of regional integration, the Awoshie- Pokuase road links the Accra-Kumasi road to the Accra-Tema motorway extension at Awoshie. In addition to the construction of the 15 km long Awoshie-Pokuase urban road, the project includes the construction of key socioeconomic infrastructure, such as drainage, markets, water supply, schools, health centers and lorry parks.
Recent flagship projects completed in the country with Bank financing include: i) the Achimota-Anyinam-Kumasi road, a major section of the Accra-Kumasi road; ii) the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange which is the converging point of traffic from Accra to all regions of Ghana, iii) the Mamfe-Aburi road which has significantly increased safe road transport to the interior though the strategic Aburi Hills as well as tourism.
In addition to these, the Bank has also financed a number of feasibility and detailed design studies notable of which is the Agona Junction - Elubo Study (in Western Ghana, near the border with Cote d'Ivoire), which is currently being implemented by the World Bank as part of the Abidjan - Lagos Road Project.
In line with the Bank's Medium Term Strategy 2008 - 2012 and the soon to be released Ghana's Medium Term Development Policy Framework (MTDPF) 2011- 2014, it is anticipated that the Bank will continue to be a key development partner in Ghana's Transport Sector. The Bank is currently considering a financing request from the Government of Ghana for the construction of the 150 km long Fufulso-Sawla road project.
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Lydie Ehouman
