The African Development Bank (AfDB) NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) Appraisal Mission, together with key partners on Wednesday, October 14, undertook extensive field assessments at the Mpakadan Rail Terminus, Akosombo Port and the Akosombo fuel jetty as part of efforts to advance the Volta Economic Corridor Multimodal Transport Project.
The mission is appraising a US$2 million NEPAD-IPPF reimbursable grant facility to support preparation of the project. GIIF is the lead coordinating institution, working with AfDB, the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and technical agencies to unlock strategic infrastructure that improves connectivity, facilitates trade and logistics, and supports regional development.
The team assessed real state of the Mpakadan rail terminus infrastructure, quay areas, loading bays and connectivity to the lake, as well as the operational status of the Akosombo inland port, fuel jetty and associated pipeline and storage infrastructure.
The field visit, which is the technical verification leg of the mission, follows previous engagements including a kick-off meeting with the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and the 24-Hour Economy & Accelerated Export Development Secretariat courtesy calls on the Ministries of Transport and Energy. Site visits were also undertaken to the Port of Tema Transit Terminal and transit truck park which provided first-hand information on the prospects of the project’s viability.
The delegation included Amelie Njonkou, Infrastructure Officer at AfDB Regional office, Cote d’Ivoire and Kwasi Agyemang-Boakye, Transport Engineer, AfDB Ghana Country Office. Dr. Mike Nkansah, Principal Investment Officer, GIIF, and representatives from the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), the Volta Lake Transport Company Limited (VLTL), Akosombo, and the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat.
The team from 24H + are Nlaliban Wujangi, Project Manager, Supply Chain Systems. Ohenewa Sakyi-Bekoe, Head of Project Delivery, Stephen Eshun, Senior Lead, Funding and Investment Delivery, Samlara Baah-Koduah, Project Manager and Job Laboja, Cmmunications Officer.
The Volta Economic Corridor Multimodal Transport Project is a significant initiative aimed at transforming the Volta River Basin into a logistics and production backbone for Ghana. It focuses on enhancing rural-urban connectivity, developing agroecological parks, and establishing industrial hubs to support agricultural growth and export competitiveness
