Ghana and the Czech Republic have signed a €47 million credit facility to provide 50 steel bridges in selected communities across the country as part of infrastructure works.

Ghana’s Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, signed the deal on behalf of the government of Ghana while the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ghana, Margita Fuchsová, signed for her country.

The agreement, signed in Accra, is for the design, supply and installation of small and medium steel bridges.

The project involves the design, supply and installation of steel components for the construction of new bridges and the replacement of some existing bridges on rivers as well as pedestrian bridges. It also includes the execution of all sub-structure works and approach road works.

According to the agreement, the Department of Feeder Roads will have 20 bridges, the Ghana Highway Authority, 20 bridges, and the Department of Urban Roads, 10 bridges.

The project is estimated to be completed within a period of 24 months from the commencement date.

The core objectives of the project include satisfying basic human needs by increasing accessibility to hospitals, schools and other social/cultural facilities which are greatly hampered due to the lack of bridges at river crossing points. It is also to remove traffic bottlenecks at river crossings and improve the movement of goods and people within the areas of influence.

It is expected that by the end of the project, all year-round access to schools, hospitals and markets will be provided, thus, eliminating interruptions in transporting people, farm produce and other items during the rainy seasons. This should also increase the incomes of the people living along and within the project areas.

Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com/91.3FM