The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has signed a US$12.83 million grant agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund detailed feasibility studies and design work for several major infrastructure and economic transformation projects under the Government’s Big Push programme.
The agreement was formally signed with Eyerusalem Fasika, the outgoing AfDB Country Manager in Ghana, capping years of strong cooperation between the Government of Ghana and the AfDB on development financing and technical support.
Under the grant, the AfDB will finance comprehensive feasibility studies, full engineering designs, cost estimates, and environmental and social impact assessments for a range of priority investments.
These include a proposed interchange at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, designed to ease chronic traffic congestion in the capital, and the redevelopment of four modern markets in Agbogbloshie, Techiman, Sekondi, and Mankessim.
In addition, the funding will support preparatory studies for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in the Afram Plains, Nsawam, and Builsa, which are expected to accelerate agricultural value chain development and create jobs across Ghana.
Expressing gratitude to the AfDB, Dr. Forson said the grant reflects Ghana’s deepening partnership with the Bank and its commitment to transforming infrastructure and economic competitiveness. He conveyed appreciation “on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana for the Bank’s continued partnership,” and praised Ms. Fasika for her “meticulous and results-driven leadership”, noting that Ghana has secured “significant financial resources and technical support from the AfDB” under her stewardship.
Dr. Forson also expressed optimism that the feasibility and design work will be completed in good time to allow for the start of construction, “hopefully by the third quarter” of the year.
In her remarks, Ms. Fasika thanked the Government of Ghana for strong cooperation and reiterated the AfDB’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development agenda.
“Together, we have given it our best shot,” she said, reaffirming the Bank’s pledge to stand with Ghana as it implements high-impact infrastructure and economic growth programmes.
AfDB–Ghana relationship
Ghana’s partnership with the African Development Bank spans decades and multiple sectors, reflecting both institutions’ shared objective of driving economic growth, industrialisation, and inclusive development.
Over the years, the AfDB has been a major financier of transformative projects in Ghana, ranging from transportation infrastructure to urban development and energy access.
To date, approvals for Ghana amount to billions of dollars in loans and grants supporting key national priorities.
One of the most prominent examples is the Pokuase Interchange in Accra — a four-tier road interchange financed by the AfDB as part of the Accra Urban Transport Project.
This project, funded with about US$83.9 million from the AfDB, improved traffic flow on one of Accra’s busiest corridors, reduced travel times and vehicle operating costs, and contributed to safer and more efficient transport links for commuters and traders.
The AfDB has also taken long-term strategic roles in Ghana’s economic agenda:
In 2025, the Bank signed an agreement to support the ambitious Volta Economic Corridor, a flagship project under Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy initiative that aims to transform the Lake Volta region into an industrial, agricultural and trade corridor, linking inland logistics, agro-ecological parks, irrigation systems and export markets.
The Bank recently concluded a strategic mission to Ghana that identified five core areas for enhanced collaboration — including infrastructure, domestic capital mobilisation, digital transformation, transport development and support for the Big Push programme itself — signalling deeper alignment with national priorities.
Through grant programmes, the AfDB has supported social and economic inclusion initiatives, such as a recently approved US$71.25 million Results-Based Financing (RBF) grant aimed at boosting women’s and youth employment and strengthening social cohesion across vulnerable communities.
In addition to transport and urban infrastructure, the Bank has historically supported energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, human capital development, and private sector growth in Ghana, often as part of multi-partner investments designed to accelerate sustainable development and resilience.
The Big Push Feasibility Studies: Laying the Groundwork for Implementation
The US$12.83 million AfDB grant will catalyse detailed work on a cluster of projects that are central to the Government’s Big Push vision:
37 Military Hospital interchange
Strategic urban road infrastructure aimed at reducing congestion, improving mobility and supporting economic activity in Greater Accra.
Modern market redevelopment
Technical and design work for market infrastructure in Agbogbloshie, Techiman, Sekondi and Mankessim — all aimed at modernising trading hubs and enhancing urban livelihoods.
Special agro-industrial processing zones
Preparatory studies for agro-industrial clusters in Afram Plains, Nsawam and Builsa, designed to link agricultural production with processing, value addition, and employment.
These preparatory steps — from environmental impact assessments to full engineering designs — are critical to attracting further financing, ensuring project bankability and fast-tracking implementation once construction begins.
Overall, the US$12.83 million AfDB grant strengthens a well-entrenched development partnership that has delivered major infrastructure and social investments across Ghana.
It demonstrates mutual commitment to transforming the economy through careful planning, technical excellence and alignment with national development priorities — from urban transport and market modernisation to industrial corridors and job creation initiatives.
