INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure is paramount to Ghana’s development agenda. There is the need to significant investments in railways, roads, ports and harbours, water and sanitation systems. These infrastructures will form the basis of Ghana’s sustained economic growth.

1. RAILWAYS

The Government of Ghana (GoG) collaboration with the private sector seeks to fully implement Ghana’s Railway Master Plan. It seeks to develop a modern railway network with strong economic linkages. Less than 13% of Ghana’s railway system is functioning. The current western and eastern lines need to be completely overhauled. This will facilitate the haulage of bauxite, manganese, cocoa, cement, iron ore and other bulk commodities as well as the transportation of people. The rehabilitation of the eastern line will bring life to the currently defunct Boankra Inland Port. The activation of the Boankra Inland Port will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs. Another top agenda for railway development is a line linking Accra (Ghana) to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). This would boost trade between Ghana, Burkina Faso and other landlocked countries in West Africa.  Additionally, the focus extends to developing an integrated Light Rail Transit System aimed at intercity and intra-city connections.  Furthermore, a rail link between Tema-Akosombo has become very essential to complement, the revived Volta Lake transportation system.

2. PORTS AND HARBOURS

Ghana recognizes that there are significant untapped opportunities within its water based transport systems. In this light, the following are planned to be implemented in collaboration with the private sector.

Existing Harbours

• Continue expansion and modernization of the Tema and Takoradi Harbours
• Automate clearing goods and vehicles clearing process
• Expand the Takoradi Harbour to Sekondi.
• Establishment of a logistics center in Sekondi as part of expansion in order to boost economic activities

New Ports

• Construction of new harbours at Jamestown (Accra) and in Keta
• Development of an inland port at Buipe

Other Development Plans

• Development of the Volta River into a major transportation artery by building modern ferry ports at the following locations ; Buipe, Yapei, Yeji, Makango, Kwadwokurom, Kete-Krachi, Adowso, Ekyeamanfrom, Akateng, and Boso
• Increase the number offerries on the Volta River.

3. ROADS

Roads is currently the most utilized form of transportation in Ghana. Unfortunately, the proportion of the country’s road network in gravel and earth surface conditions remains high at about 77%. Nevertheless, the development of more road networks present significant opportunities for transport of goods and humans.

The plans for roads development in Ghana in collaboration with private sector include

• Expanding and improving the road network, while closing the missing links in the network
• Improving roads in high agricultural production and tourism areas
• Tarring roads in district capitals and extend them to major towns within the district
• Increase the network of public transportation system in collaboration with all stakeholders, and
• Integrate the databases of relevant government agencies to reduce time and cost of acquiring relevant documents and permits needed to register and operate vehicles.

4. AVIATION

Ghana is making significant strides aimed at positioning its airports as aviation hubs for both international and regional airlines within West Africa. The starting point for this commitment has been the abolishment of the 17.5% VAT which had been introduced in 2015. Additionally, there will be review of prices of aviation fuel to make Ghana’s domestic operators as competitive as others within the West African sub region.

The main routes for interventions include

1. working with the private sector to offer modern, attractive air transport infrastructure, and
2. building capacity and establishing institutional and policy framework to enhance safety and security of air services

Key opportunities exist in reviving the following domestic airlines – Citylink, Fly540 and Antrak.

5. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Affordable housing is one of the key aspirations of many Ghanaians- either by owning a house or having access to an affordable facility to be rented.

The country’s housing deficit is over 1,700,000 units. This has resulted from a sustained period of limited supply of housing needs. For example, current housing supply stands at about 35 to 40,000 units per annum, the actual need per annum is over 100,000 units. Additionally, it is estimated that over 50% of Ghanaians live in sub-standard houses, depressed inner city dwellings, uncompleted houses, shops, kiosks and other unsuitable structures

The proposed plan in partnership with private sector include

• Development of quality and high density housing systems
• Establish land banks with appropriate social amenities
• Tax incentives to value chain actors within the construction sectors
• Abolish 5% VAT on real estates sales
• National policy for integrating solar and water harvesting systems in housing to reduce cost of ownership
• Promoting the use of local building materials in construction
• Fully implement section 103 (assignment of pension benefits for housing of workers) of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766)
• Facilitate the development of an active mortgage aimed at expanding mortgage loans to Ghanaians