The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has signed a US$12.83 million grant agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance feasibility studies and design development for major projects under the government’s Big Push programme.

The agreement was signed with the AfDB’s outgoing Country Manager in Ghana, Eyerusalem Fasika.

The grant will support detailed feasibility studies, including full designs, costings, and environmental and social impact assessments, for a proposed interchange at the 37 Military Hospital, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital.

It will also fund feasibility studies and full designs for the redevelopment of four modern markets in Agbogbloshie, Techiman, Sekondi, and Mankessim, as well as comprehensive studies for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in the Afram Plains, Nsawam, and Builsa.

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Dr Forson expressed appreciation to the AfDB saying, “On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana, I thank the Bank for its continued partnership.”

He also commended Fasika for her meticulous and results-driven leadership, noting, “Ghana has secured significant financial resources and technical support from the AfDB through her stewardship.”

Dr Forson expressed optimism that the feasibility studies would be completed early enough to allow construction to commence, hopefully by the third quarter of the year.

In her remarks, Fasika thanked Ghana for the strong cooperation and support extended to the AfDB, noting that the Bank and the Government of Ghana have worked closely to achieve these milestones.

“Together, we have given it our best shot,” she said, reaffirming the AfDB’s commitment to Ghana’s development agenda.