Feasibility studies and designs for the Abidjan-Accra-Lagos corridor, one of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)’s flagship infrastructure projects, are set to be completed by September.
The 1,280 kilometre highway, of which about 500km would pass through Ghana with six lanes on each side, is expected to boost trade and economic activities between ECOWAS member states.
The Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Ghana, Baba Gana Wakil, disclosed this to The Ghanaian Times at the sidelines of an inter-school debate on ECOWAS’ 48th anniversary in Accra on Wednesday.
He said the completion of the feasibility studies and designs would determine the cost and commencement date for the project, but he expressed the hope that the “costly project” would start soon.
He said the ECOWAS was prioritising the project because it was crucial for the development of the sub-region, particularly because 70 per cent of the trade between member states was being facilitated by the road.
“It is a big road with six lanes here, six lane there. So we hope that by the time this project takes-off and then the ECOWAS electricity (market) also takes-off, we have two enablers in terms of infrastructure, electricity, and roads and this will open up everywhere.
“It will literally open up everywhere because there are two enablers you need to take off, that is good roads to open up the hinterlands and open up every community, and then supply electricity which is the basis for other industries to thrive,” he said.
With half of the corridor traversing Ghana, Mr Wakil said Ghana had a lot of contributions to make for the take-off the project and therefore, commended Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways for sensitising communities through which the road would pass.
On efforts by other countries, he said, several countries had already contributed to the project, and development partners from Europe and West Africa had pledged to offer financial and technical support.
When the project is completed, he said, communities along the corridor would benefit from indirect employment opportunities and thus urged all to support the project.
Established on May 28, 1975 via the treaty of Lagos, ECOWAS is a 15-member regional group with a mandate of promoting economic integration in all fields of activity of the constituting countries.
The 48th anniversary theme is “Towards Shared Prosperity.”
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
