ย The Minister of Roads and Highยญways, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, has called on Turkยญish investors to prioritise Ghana as their top most investment destination.
Speaking at the 11th World Cooperation Industries (WCI) Forum on the theme, โInvest in Africa, Invest in the Future,โ held in the Turkish capital, Istanbul, he highlighted Ghanaโs immense potential for growth and strategic partnerships, with a particular focus on Ghanaโs thriving infraยญstructure sector.
Asenso-Boakye emphasised the critical role of infrastructure, esยญpecially roads and highways, as the foundation for economic developยญment and specifically spotlighted the 957km Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Project, which spans five West African countriesโCรดte dโIvoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
He said with over 50 per cent of the highway passing through Ghana, the project offers vast opportunities for investments in manufacturing, tourism, technoloยญgy and logistics.
โThe Abidjan-Lagos Highway is not just a road, but a catalyst for economic growth across the Economic Communities of West ECOWAS region. I therefore strongly urge Turkish investors to seize the opportunity to particiยญpate in this transformative project, which promises significant returns and enhances regional integration,โ the Minister added.
Mr Asenso-Boakye also lauded Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) which he explained as major key avenues for investment and cited Ghanaโs role in pioneering PPP in the expansion of the Accra-Tema Motorway as an example of the countryโs commitment to infraยญstructure modernisation.
Moreover, the Minister encourยญaged investors to explore smart road technologies and green infraยญstructure, underscoring Ghanaโs focus on sustainable development.
During the visit, Mr Asenยญso-Boakye also participated in the International Road Federation (IRF) World Congress 2024 in Istanbul, where he addressed a High-Level Ministerial Meeting on behalf of the government and people of Ghana.
This yearโs congress, themed; โConnecting to Empower Mobility: Roads as Enablers of a Sustainable Future,โ facilitated productive disยญcussions on overcoming challenges and exploring innovative solutions in the roads and transportation sectors.
Addressing the congress, Mr Asenso-Boakye underscored Ghaยญnaโs significant progress in road infrastructure development, which has improved connectivity, reduced travel times, and enhanced access to essential services.
These advancements, he noted, have been pivotal in reducing poverty, raising incomes, and expanding access to healthcare and education.
On the sidelines of the IRF World Congress and the WCI Foยญrum, Mr Asenso-Boakye also held bilateral discussions with Turkeyโs Minister for Transport and Infraยญstructure, Abdul-kadir Uraloฤlu, and Minister for Trade, รmer Boยญlat with main focus on promoting trade and economic cooperation, particularly in the construction sector, and positioning Ghana as the gateway to Africa.
ย FROM TIMES REPORTER
