JOINT PRESS RELEASE
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR EU-FUNDED FEEDER ROADS IN UPPER WEST REGION
Kpongu, near Wa, 18 May 2021 – 10:00am
The European Union has provided a grant of EUR € 35 million to the Government of Ghana, for the rehabilitation and maintenance of 670 km of feeder and farm access roads in the Upper West Region. This support aims at improving inter-connectivity between areas of production and market centers. To mark the start of the works, a ground breaking ceremony is being organised in Kpongu on 18 May 2021 in the presence of the Honourable Minister of Roads and Highways and the EU Ambassador to Ghana.
The EUR € 35 million grant from the European Union (EU) supports the rehabilitation, upgrade and maintenance of 670 km of feeder and farm access roads and road safety activities in the Upper West Region. This support comes under the larger EUR € 160 million European Union-Ghana Agricultural Programme (EU-GAP) to develop sustainable agriculture in the Upper West Region. The roads are organized in three packages, as follows:
1. Wa Municipal, Wa West, Nadowli-Kaleo (235 km)
2. Jirapa, Lawra, Daffiama-Bussie (210 km)
3. Nandom and Lambussie-Karni (225 km)
This intervention aims at improving inter-connectivity between areas of production and market centres in the Upper West Region. The objective being to reduce the travel time on these sections of roads, promote road safety, and strengthen at the same time the institutional management of the transport sector.
Those feeder roads are commissioned under Output and Performance Based Road Contracts (OPBRC) managed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways. To maximise the support intervention, the EU funding is administered under a Trust Fund administered by the World Bank as part of Transport Sector Improvement Project’ (TSIP) which finances a larger national transport programme.
A groundbreaking ceremony will mark the start of the work in Kpongu on 18 May 2021. This important event will be attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Attah; the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; the Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Hafiz Bin Salis; the Country Director of the World Bank, Mr. Pierre Laporte and the EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Diana Acconcia.
To quote the EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Diana Acconcia: “The European Union is committed to support the socio-economic transformation of Ghana, in particular in the northern regions. The EU looks forward to the completion of these roads to connect remote and disadvantaged districts. This intervention will unlock new economic opportunities in the Upper West Region by increasing access to markets and the trade of commodities, and impact positively on household incomes.”
Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister for Roads and Highways: “Today, we are celebrating together the start of the work of three packages of feeder and farm access roads in the Upper West Region. The latter are commissioned under Output and Performance Based Road Contracts (OPBRC) that are designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of road asset management and maintenance. This intervention supports concretely the Ministry’s vision to provide sustainable transportation system responsive to the needs of society, supporting growth and poverty reduction.”
Mr. Pierre Laporte, Country Director at the WB: “This intervention is a great example of partnership between the Dialogue Partners of Ghana coming together to support meaningfully and efficiently the transport sector. The added funding from the EU enhances considerably the World Bank-led ‘Transport Sector Improvement Project’ (TSIP) with earmarked support for the Upper West Region.”
For more information:
Contact MRH : 0242906926
Contact EU : Rejoice-Esi.ASANTE@eeas.europa.eu (Press & Information)
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