PM Modi, Ghana Prez discuss developing infra in W Africa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama today discussed ways to develop robust infrastructure in the West African nation that requires USD 1.5 billion funding in the sector annually.
Ghana is looking at partnering with India to develop a robust infrastructure spanning railways, power, roads and ports, among other areas, in the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode, President Mahama, who is here for the India-Africa business summit, said today.
"The World Bank estimates that Ghana has a shortfall of USD 1.5 billion in infrastructure every year. It means that there is a major shortfall in roads, bridges, ports, railways and so many things.

"There is a lot of demand of infrastructure investment... In my discussions with Prime Minister Modi this morning, we talked about revamping the railways sector," Mahama said addressing the media here.
He said there is a major shortfall in roads, bridges, ports, railways, power and other areas.
"There is a lot of demand of infrastructure investment and I think India is a kind of partner that we have dealt with in the past and would look at in the future to build a robust infrastructure," he said, adding that Ghana is looking at Indian companies in public and private sector to join hands with it to invest in infrastructure.

"About 99.9 per cent of Ghana's transportation is by roads and roads are not ideal for cargo and passengers... We were discussing how this can be done in a manner with USD 1.5 billion or 2 billion public debt. We can be partners either with the private or public sector in India," he said.

The West African nation's president said there was huge load of traffic on its roads, which were mostly single carriageways, and the country was looking to add another lane to its roads so that traffic flow can be better.
Stressing on the need to strengthen bilateral ties, Mahama said Ghana is looking to build world class infrastructure that included roads, hospitals, schools and there is a "huge potential of PPP mode there".

Another area where the country wants to focus is power, he said, adding, "every city in Africa is deficit in power.
"Right across African economies... The demand of power is outstripping its supply. We want to restructure the power sector like we did in the telecom sector."
He added that there was tremendous scope in agriculture and entrepreneurship as well.
As part of its mandate to increase sustainable global economic growth by creating a more empowering ecosystem for entrepreneurs, Ashish J Thakkar, Chairman, United Nations Foundation - Global Entrepreneurs Council and Founder, Mara Group, called for greater collaboration and engagement between emerging countries.

It will facilitate new opportunities and accelerate job-creation over the next five years.
Accelerating entrepreneurial collaboration between the countries can lead to the creation of up to 3 million new entrepreneurs by 2020 and both the economies could benefit by USD 50 billion by 2020.