The Ministry of Finance and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed an agreement for the construction of the Phase Two of the Tema Motorway Interchange.
The agreement involves the Improvement of the Tema Motorway Roundabout, generally referred to as the Phase 2 Project, and the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship for 2021.
At a virtual signing ceremony, the Chief Representative of JICA Ghana Office, Mr Yasumichi Araki, signed the two grant agreements with the Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta.
Prior to the signing of the agreements, there was a short diplomatic exchange between the Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Mr Tsutomu Himeno, and the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Charles Owiredu.
Phase 2 project
The project for the Improvement of the Tema Motorway Roundabout will conduct a detailed design to construct a flyover at the newly constructed Tema Interchange, the first phase of which was inaugurated on June 5, 2020.
It involves a grant equivalent to US$1 million, and will include procurement of a consultant, detailed design study and preparatory works for the construction works.
The project will complement the completed Phase One interchange project to alleviate traffic congestion and improve logistics to and from the Tema port to boost trade among Ghana and its neighbours.
The project for Human Resource Development Scholarship programme aims at supporting human resource development in Ghana, targeting highly capable, young government officials who are expected to engage in formulating and implementing social and economic development plans and to become leaders in the country.
Grant
This grant aid started in 2012, and this is the 10th consecutive year JICA is providing this grant to Ghana.
So far, 78 beneficiaries have been sent to Japan under the programme.
Next year, with the grant reaching the equivalent of US$2.4 million, the programme will provide another 13 young and promising Ghanaian government officials with scholarships to obtain doctorate and Master’s degrees at the graduate schools of prestigious Japanese universities.
Their research focus will be in the area of Agriculture, Economics, Energy, Health, Public Administration and Public Financial Management.
Background
Since 1963, JICA has provided support to Ghana in several areas, including health, road, electricity, agriculture, industry, education, governance and other significant sectors under the scheme of Yen Loans, Grant Aid and Technical Cooperation.
Total accumulated value is approximately US$1,265 million, US$1,084 million and US$562 million respectively.
Source: graphic.com.
