AfDB-Ghana - President Atta-Mills Cuts Sod for Accra Road Project

30 March 2011
Content from a Premium Partner
African Development Bank (Abidjan)
press release

Ghana's President John Atta-Mills on Tuesday, 29 March 2011 in Accra, cut the sod for the beginning of the Awoshie-Pokuase road and community development project. The project, which was approved by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Board in 2009, involves constructing the 15 km road north-west of Accra. The civil works include secondary roads, and key community-upgrading infrastructure such as drainage, markets, water supply, schools, health centers and lorry parks. The USD 132 million total project cost is co-financed by the African Development Fund (ADF) with a US$ 83.6 million contribution. The French development agency (AFD) is providing US$ 40.1 million while the Ghanaian government completes the remaining USD 8.2 million.

In his address, President Atta Mills underscored the importance of Awoshie-Pokuase road project which is designed to provide integrated solutions to urban development, one of the main challenges for Ghana. The area is rapidly expanding and the urban sprawl makes it difficult to meet residents' service demands in terms of transport, water, health, education and sanitation. The President thanked the Bank Group for its support and called on the contractors to complete the road on time.

In her remarks, AfDB Resident Representative in Ghana, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, explained that with more than 40 percent of its population living in urban areas, Ghana is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa. The road project is a response to the urban development challenges of traffic congestion and growing population demands for socio-economic infrastructure facing the Greater Accra Region. She also indicated that the Bank Group, with its current commitments amounting to about USD 470 million, is the major financier in Ghana's road sector. She recalled that the Bank's Ghana portfolio of more than USD 1.1 billion comprises 30 projects in key priority sectors such as transport, energy, water and sanitation, agriculture and education. She reiterated the AfDB Group's commitment to continued support to Ghana's development agenda.

Contacts

Marie Laure Akin Olugbade

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