News Guide Africa

Tag: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

  • PPP gaining attention for impact on national growth amidst BIG PUSH agenda

    PPP gaining attention for impact on national growth amidst BIG PUSH agenda

    Ghana is witnessing a growing interest in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a means to drive national growth and development.

    The Vice Chancellor of Methodist University Ghana, Prof. William Baah Boateng, has emphasized the need for a stronger governance framework to guide PPPs, citing their potential to facilitate infrastructure development, job creation, and sustainable growth.

    Speaking at the 10th Ghana Corporate Executives Awards, last week in Accra, he said effective public private collaborations have the potential to become “vehicles for trust, efficiency, and sustainable impact” when properly structured and monitored.

    “Public private partnerships facilitate infrastructure development and service provision without relying solely on public budgets. A working PPP (framework) will promote job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable development,” he intimated.

    Prof. Boateng indicated that while the private sector provides efficiency and innovation, the public sector ensures legitimacy and protects the public interest hence a strong alliance between the two sectors can create lasting public value when guided by robust governance.

    Ghana’s infrastructure quality score currently stands at 47 out of 100 about 10 points below the average for lower-middle-income countries, and the country invests roughly 5 percent of GDP in infrastructure, slightly below peers who average 5.4 percent.

    Also, Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu, a policy consultant and professor of strategy at GIMPA, believe PPPs are indispensable for modern governance, allowing governments to harness private creativity, efficiency, and capital while maintaining regulatory oversight.

    Government Initiatives:

    Big Push Agenda: The government is expanding road networks, upgrading rail, air, and seaport facilities, and promoting sustainable mass transit systems which need major funding such as the PPP arrangement.

    Transportation Modernization: The government aims to modernize Ghana’s transport infrastructure to improve market access, enhance competitiveness, and support long-term economic growth.

    The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has emphasized the importance of efficient logistics and transport systems in positioning Ghana as a competitive logistics hub. The success of government policies, including the 24-hour economy, hinges on the efficiency of supply chains and the robustness of the country’s logistics networks.

    Speaking on behalf of the Transport Minister at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Conference and Annual General Meeting, Director of Human Resources at the Ministry, Nathaniel Amonoo Wilson, said the agenda includes expanding road networks under the Big Push initiative, upgrading rail, air and seaport facilities, and promoting sustainable mass transit systems.

    He noted that these interventions are central to improving market access, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting long-term economic growth.

    “As we all know, transportation is a key driver of trade, both between nations and within them, promoting socioeconomic growth and development. Transport services are crucial for accessing global markets, improving international trade, and attracting foreign investment. For this reason, the need to develop a seamless, integrated transport system must remain a strategic priority to influence our growth and development.

    “The government is therefore embarking on a sustained programme to improve and modernize transport infrastructure and services through road network rehabilitation and expansion under the Big Push Agenda, railway rehabilitation and redevelopment, expansion and rehabilitation of our air and sea ports facilities, and the promotion of sustainable mass transportation systems,” he said.

    Presidential Advisor and Special Aide to the President, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, also underscored the government’s commitment to building a business-friendly environment that supports private sector growth.

    She noted that efficient logistics and transport systems will be central to positioning Ghana as a competitive logistics hub.

    “As a government, our priority remains to build a business-friendly environment that promotes investment, innovation, and sustainable logistics systems. Through targeted policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and partnerships with the private sector from port modernization and corridor development to railway and inland water transport revitalization we are laying the foundation for Ghana to become a regional logistics hub. These interventions reflect our belief that a resilient and efficient logistics system is central to achieving industrial growth, food security, and job creation,” she said.

    President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Mark Amoamah, on his part says the success of government policies including the 24-hour economy will hinge on the efficiency of supply chains and the robustness of the country’s logistics networks.

    “Ghana stands at a critical crossroad as the government strives to reset our nation and implement the 24-hour economy for the benefit of all. The efficiency of our supply chains, the robustness of our logistics networks, and the modernity of our transport infrastructure are key determinants of the success of these policies. This theme challenges us, as leaders and professionals, to move beyond discussing problems but to start engineering concrete, implementable solutions that will truly unlock our nation’s economic potential,” he remarked.

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Govt reiterates commitment to science, innovation, and Public-Private Partnerships for sustainable development – Chief of Staff

    Govt reiterates commitment to science, innovation, and Public-Private Partnerships for sustainable development – Chief of Staff

    The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its dedication to harnessing science, innovation, and robust Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as crucial drivers of the country’s sustainable development.

    In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, at the 34th Biennial Conference of the Ghana Science Association (GSA), held at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Julius Debrah emphasized the significance of aligning research and innovation with enterprise and governance.

    The conference, themed “Leveraging Innovative Science to Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development in Ghana,” resonated with the government’s Reset Agenda, which focuses on job creation, accountability, and shared prosperity.

    The Chief of Staff underscored the imperative of synergizing science, technology, industry scale, and government policy to tackle pressing challenges in food security, healthcare, environmental protection, and digital transformation.

    Notable examples of successful partnerships cited included the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana’s collaboration with private entities to develop disease-resistant cocoa, the Noguchi Memorial Institute’s pivotal role in Ghana’s COVID-19 response, and innovative renewable energy projects such as the Bui Power Authority’s hydro-solar hybrid system, featuring West Africa’s first 5MW floating solar PV installation.

    The government’s Reset Agenda was highlighted, with key interventions in agriculture, healthcare, environment, and digital transformation. In agriculture, the Feed Ghana Programme is being expanded with a ₵1.5 billion allocation, complemented by Olam’s $200 million agro-industrial facilities expected to generate over 4,000 jobs. In healthcare, the establishment of a National Bio-Equivalence Centre and ₵50 million seed funding for the National Vaccine Institute aim to bolster local pharmaceutical production and vaccine self-sufficiency.

    Furthermore, initiatives such as the One Million Coders Programme, aimed at training youth in coding, AI, and data analytics, and the construction of 35 new STEM senior high schools and five STEM-focused universities, highlight the government’s commitment to digital transformation and STEM education.

    Chief of Staff emphasized the centrality of women, youth, and marginalized groups in national development, citing initiatives like the Women’s Development Bank and affirmative action policies.

    “Public-private partnerships are not mere additions, they are urgent pathways for unleashing the innovations Ghana urgently needs,” the statement stressed, urging scientists, industry leaders, and policymakers to deepen collaboration with government to drive sustainable growth.

    In conclusion, the government reaffirmed its commitment to science and innovation as the backbone of Ghana’s sustainable development, emphasizing the need for continued synergy between government, industry, and academia to build a prosperous future for all Ghanaians.

    The event was organized by the Ghana Science Association (GSA) in collaboration with the University for Development Studies (UDS).

     

    *Phalonzy🖊️*

    0272626466

  • Govt to leverage PPPs to close $37bn annual infrastructure gap – Dep. Finance Minister

    Govt to leverage PPPs to close $37bn annual infrastructure gap – Dep. Finance Minister

    The government says it is intensifying efforts to unlock the potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to close Ghana’s widening infrastructure deficit, estimated at $37 billion annually over the next three decades.

    Delivering the keynote address at the KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow in Accra, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, said traditional financing models alone are no longer sufficient to meet the scale of Ghana’s infrastructure needs, making PPPs indispensable.

    “The public purse alone cannot do this. The fiscal space is tight. The demands are huge. The journey is long. PPPs are therefore not just desirable, they are indispensable,” Mr. Ampem stressed.

    Infrastructure underperformance

    The Deputy Minister painted a sobering picture of Ghana’s infrastructure record. Citing data from the World Bank-supported Global Infrastructure Hub, he noted that Ghana scores 47 out of 100 in infrastructure quality – ten points below the average for lower-middle-income countries.

    Additionally, Ghana invests about 5.0 percent of GDP in infrastructure, which falls short of the LMIC average of 5.4 percent. This has translated into a financing gap of 2.8 percent of GDP, far higher than the 1.7 percent average for its peers.

    “These figures confirm what citizens feel daily,” he said. “City residents cry for better transport systems, industries require reliable and cheaper energy, farmers need irrigation, and our young people demand the digital highways of tomorrow.”

    Big Push initiative

    To confront these challenges, Mr. Ampem announced that government has reallocated significant portions of petroleum revenues and mineral royalties under the Big Push Initiative to finance large-scale infrastructure.

    He said government plans to invest GH¢13.9 billion into the flagship policy, rising to GH¢21.2 billion by 2028 . This is expected to shift capital expenditure upward by 0.5 percent of GDP during the period, even as the administration pursues fiscal consolidation.

    “This is not just a peppering over the cracks. It is an economic reset backed by a US$10 billion Big Push for infrastructure development,” the Deputy Minister declared.

    Strengthening systems for value for money

    The Deputy Finance Minister also revealed ongoing reforms in Ghana’s Public Financial Management (PFM) system to ensure infrastructure contracts deliver value for money.

    He cited an audit by the Ministry of Roads and Highways which found that arrears of GH¢113 million owed to contractors in 2018 had ballooned to GH¢665 million in interest by 2025 due to delays and weak controls.

    “Clearly, we were paying more in interest than in actual road construction. This cannot continue,” he said.

    To prevent recurrence, he said government through Parliament has amended the Public Procurement Act to ensure that all contracts must have approved budgetary allocations before commencement. He said the Ministry has also set up a PFM Compliance Division to monitor adherence to commitment controls and procurement regulations.

    PPPs as a solution

    Despite these reforms, Mr. Ampem admitted that public funds alone are inadequate to meet Ghana’s infrastructure demand. He argued that PPPs provide an opportunity to bring in private sector capital, expertise, and efficiency to complement government resources.

    By leveraging PPPs, he said, Ghana could improve service quality, spread risks more effectively, and accelerate economic transformation. However, he acknowledged challenges such as low awareness of PPPs, capacity constraints in structuring projects, and regulatory bottlenecks that slow down transactions.

    Government, he assured, is committed to addressing these hurdles and creating an enabling environment for private sector participation.

    Call to partnership

    The Deputy Minister urged both local and international investors to seize the opportunities in energy, transport, digital infrastructure, and urban development to partner government in closing the infrastructure gap.

    “The framework is set. The vision is clear. The resolve for further PPP reform is strong. The leadership from President Mahama is committed,” he said. “Your technical expertise, innovation, and capital are not just welcome; they are essential.”

    He concluded with a call to collective action, invoking an African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. The journey ahead for Ghana’s infrastructure demands that we go together with strong participation from the private sector.”

    The KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow brought together policymakers, financiers, engineers, and business leaders to deliberate on innovative models for financing Ghana’s infrastructure needs under the theme “Unlocking Ghana’s Public Private Partnership Potential: Bridging Reform and Results.”