The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to Ghana, Meshal Hamadan Al-Rogi, has pledged his country’s full support to build a strong partnership with the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), as part of its socio-economic development within the coastal zone.

He disclosed this when a delegation from CODA, led by the Chief Executive Officer Jerry Ahmed Shaib and the Deputy CEO in charge of Mobilisation and Private Partnership, Mr Emmanuel Affram Anim, paid a courtesy call on him on Monday, 21 March 2022. 

The visit forms part of the Authority’s efforts to attract new partners to facilitate its public-private partnership agenda in order to achieve its development goals. 

Mr Ahmed Shaib, in his interaction with the Ambassador, explain that CODA implements its projects and programmes under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP).

He said the Authority has been able to implement several infrastructure projects that cover schools, hospitals, markets, drains, bridges and others, as well as some social intervention programmes like the CODA Credit Union, CODA Drive, CODA Clean Beach Campaign among others. 

The CEO further explained that the CODA Clean Beach Campaign is to ensure that Ghana’s beach communities are clean at all times. 

He believes that the clean beach initiative will also create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth as well as boost tourism in the country.

He finally appealed to the Ambassador to assist the Authority to attract investors for the CODA Sea Bus initiative, which is targeted at reducing transportation challenges in the country.

Mr Shaib also appealed to the Saudi Fund for Development to partner CODA to supplement its socio-economic development within the coastal zone.

Ambassador Al-Rogi expressed his excitement for the visit and assured the CEO of his country’s support since the Saudi Kingdom, through the Saudi Fund for Development, is already supporting some development projects in education, health, food aid, among others.

For instance, he stated that the Kingdom, through the Fund, is constructing a huge hospital for the people of Aburi. 

Also, he said the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre is an initiative under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aimed at alleviating human suffering and ensuring that all people are given the opportunity to live healthy and dignified lives. 

He assured the CEO of his recommendation of the Authority to the Centre to assist with its many projects aimed at alleviating poverty within the coastal zone.