According to the Bank’s website, the proposed operation intends to allocate funding for the preparation and ensuring readiness and quality of entry of the projects that are included in the “Big Push” Infrastructure Development Programme. This Policy is part of the Government Manifesto and involves accelerating national infrastructure development to boost growth and create sustainable jobs. The policy proposes development of infrastructure that will be tailored around the corridor approach. This approach to transport infrastructure delivers benefits beyond mobility. It integrates economic growth, social equity, environmental sustainability, and regional development into one framework. This will enhance i) economic growth stimulation: by attracting investment, reducing trade costs, and improving access to markets, boosting productivity and competitiveness, ii) job creation and poverty reduction: by connecting rural and urban areas, corridors expand employment opportunities and reduce regional inequalities, iii) regional integration: by strengthening cross-border trade and cooperation, fostering political and economic ties between countries, iv) holistic planning: The integrated approach aligns transport with energy, ICT, and water infrastructure, ensuring coordinated development, v) environmental management: Corridor programmes incorporate ecological safeguards, reducing negative impacts and promoting sustainable land use, vi) resilience and equity: by enhancing economic resilience by diversifying growth centers and improving access for marginalized communities, vii) efficient resource use: by planning which avoids duplication of projects, reduces costs, and maximizes infrastructure returns and viii) urban rural connectivity: by linking cities with hinterlands, improving access to services, education, and healthcare.

The programme aims to contribute towards an efficient transportation system that promotes Ghana’s ports and corridors to enhance inclusiveness, stimulate socio-economic development and facilitate domestic and regional trade and integration. This Additional Financing contributes towards that by allocating funding for project preparation and ensuring readiness and quality of entry of the projects that will contribute towards the “Big Push” Infrastructure Development Programme that will support efficient transports systems, trade corridors and economic zones.

The project will be anchored under the existing Eastern Corridor Road Development Project – 1 and will use the structures established under this project to shorten processing times. To this end the government has requested the allocation of UA9.36million of the Performance Based Allocation (PBA) towards project preparatory funds for projects that will accelerate economic growth and create jobs by providing roads and transport, agriculture and energy infrastructure in the country. Once these projects are prepared and ready some can be implemented through the public sector using the country PBA, or through the private sector including PPPs. The Bank will support the country to leverage platforms like Africa Investment Forum (AIF) to syndicate, de-risk and raise innovative financing (including blended and climate finance) for these projects.

Environmental Category: [1] High Risk

The project E&S category is confirmed as category 1 in accordance with the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System.

The classification of this technical assistance project as Category 1 is because the intended physical investment projects that would proceed from these technical studies are envisaged to be Category 1 projects. This project preparation technical assistance that is anchored an ongoing road infrastructure project will not involve any physical activity nor any form of involuntary displacement. Thus, no environmental and social risks have been identified for it and there are no requirements for the preparation and disclosure of E&S safeguards instruments for the approval of the TA.

Financial Instrument: Project Cycle Grant
Commitments (UA): 9,360,000
Conversion Rate USD (2026-01-28): 1,35078
Commitments (USD): 12,643,300.80

Name: Sheila Enyonam AKYEA
Email: s.akyea@afdb.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/