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The UK-Ghana partnership has brought together funding and expertise to build a major new road system that will create jobs and build expertise in Ghana.
A statement issued by the British High Commission (BHM) in Accra, copied by the Ghana News Agency, said that the partnership has resulted in a £ 80.3 million project to build the Tema-Aflao road agreed between BHM and the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
He said the Tema to Aflao project, which is part of the ECOWAS Coastal Highway, will employ more than 500 Ghanaians, providing them with extensive training.
The statement said that representatives of the British High Commission had witnessed the signing of a contract that would increase infrastructure and create jobs in the country.
He said that the Ministry of Roads and Highways had signed the contract with BHM that would see the construction of a major highway system.
He said the project would improve Ghana’s transport connections while creating skilled jobs for local people across the country.
Mr Iain Walker, British High Commissioner in Ghana said: “The significant strengthening of Ghana’s road system shows the partnership between the UK and Ghana at its best; a long-term partnership working for the long-term benefit of Ghana.
“Together we are committed to creating opportunities that go beyond aid and into trade and investment relationships that drive economic growth and local job creation.”
The statement said that BHM Construction International is a civil engineering company specializing in airports and roads and that the UK-based company had recently increased its capacity in the sub-Saharan market.
He said the £ 80.3 million Tema to Aflao road project would see a major improvement in the road system between Tema and the Togolese border.
According to the statement, the construction of this new stretch of road, agreed by the ECOWAS nations, will strengthen the West African road transport network by forming part of the link between the Ivory Coast and Nigeria and the cities en route.
Phil Atkinson, Managing Director of BHM Construction International UK, said: “BHM is privileged to partner with the Government of Ghana for the delivery of the critical road corridor in Tema, Accra.
“The highway is part of the ECOWAS Coastal Highway and will create sustainable jobs and economic growth in the Region.
“All of this has been possible thanks to the significant support received from the Ghana Ministry of Roads and the Ministry of Finance together with the UK government.”
The statement said that working with UK Nurizon International and Aurecon Africa together with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, BHM would build the Tema-Aflao project between the years 2020 and 2024.
Adam Afriyie, UK Trade Envoy for Ghana, said: “UK partnerships with Ghana, such as the BHM road project, demonstrated effective collaboration between the UK Government and the Government of Ghana.
“These projects show the UK’s ability to mobilize the best of our shared expertise, with the technical skills to deliver world-class solutions, to the growing need to improve infrastructure in Ghana to support its development.
“I am very happy to see that both projects will be possible with the support of the UK government.”
BHM has recently undergone an expansion program in the Caribbean and operates in the Bahamas, Antigua and the United Kingdom.
The company is looking to expand to sub-Saharan Africa and the Tema-Aflao border highway with a major upgrade from Togo will be its first project in Ghana.
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