UK-Ghana partnership yields funding and expertise to build infrastructure
British High Commission Accra has announced the signing of a contract between the Government of Ghana and Mabey Bridge, to deliver 89 bridges
As part of the UK-Ghana partnership, the British High Commission is pleased to announce the signing of a contract between the Government of Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways and Mabey Bridge, which will facilitate the delivery of 89 modular, steel, emergency-response bridges rapidly deployed across Ghana to restore critical infrastructure.
Iain Walker British High Commissioner to Ghana said:
89 bridges deployed across the country shows the strength of the UK-Ghana partnership; a long-term partnership working for the long-term benefit of Ghana.
Developed at the third UK-Ghana Business Council in 2019, this deal will improve connectivity for communities across the country, making the daily journeys to school and work both safer and faster.
Together we are committed to creating opportunities that move beyond aid and towards the trade and investment relationships which drive economic growth and local job creation.
The £43m bridge programme, forming a key part of discussions at the third UK-Ghana Business Council held in Accra in October 2019, has been developed to improve connectivity for rural communities enabling quicker, safer and more efficient access to employment, education and healthcare.
Michael Treacy Mabey Bridge CEO said:
We are delighted to be working with the Government of Ghana to help expedite and successfully implement this urgent, high-profile project. Sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure is critically important to post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation, and we very much look forward to working in partnership with the Ghanaian government to deliver this ambitious programme.
The bridges will be designed, manufactured and built over a two year period. The programme will provide full technical support to assist with the local project management of every bridge. An expert training team will ensure that local engineers working on every bridge have the knowledge and expertise needed to build these specialist bridges.
Adam Afriyie Her Majesty’s Trade Envoy for Ghana said:
UK partnerships with Ghana such as the Mabey Bridge emergency bridge supplies demonstrate the effective collaboration between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Ghana.
This project shows the UK’s ability to mobilise the best of our shared expertise, with the technical skills to offer world-class solutions, to the increasing need for improving infrastructure in Ghana to support its development.
I am so pleased to see a project advanced by the UK-Ghana Business Council, now made possible with support from the UK Government.
British company, Mabey Bridge, has already installed modular steel bridging solutions to more than 150 countries across the world, and has extensive experience in the delivery of comprehensive financed bridging programmes in support of rural and urban infrastructure development.
Over the last month, representatives from the British High Commission also witnessed the signing of a contract between the Ministry of Roads and Highways and BHM that will see the construction of a major road system.
Working with Nurizon International of the UK and Aurecon Africa alongside the Ministry of Roads and Highways, BHM will construct the Tema - Aflao project between 2020 and 2024. The project is likely to employ more than 500 Ghanaians providing them with extensive training.
Notes to Editors
• Mabey Bridge (an Acrow Group company) is based in Gloucestershire, UK, and is a leading international provider of high-quality modular steel bridging solutions. Mabey Bridge specialises in rapid-build, pre-engineered modular steel bridges to enable accelerated bridge construction and improve connectivity in urban and rural areas.
• Mabey Bridge has supplied modular bridging solutions to over 150 countries worldwide and has extensive experience in the delivery of comprehensive financed bridging programmes to help restore critical infrastructure.
• BHM Construction International are a civil engineering company specialising in airports and roads. BHM have recently undergone an expansion programme into the Caribbean and operate in the Bahamas, Antigua and the UK. The company are looking to expand into Sub Saharan Africa and the Tema to Aflao road – border with Togo major upgrade will be their first project in Ghana.
• Established in 2018, the UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) functions as a high-level forum to promote bilateral relations and strategic partnerships between Ghanaian private sector and UK counterparts. Promoting trade and investment for the mutual benefit of each nation and enhancing economic growth.
• UKEF is the UK government’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations. Working with more than 100 private credit insurers and lenders to help UK companies access export finance (the particular class of loans, insurance policies or bank guarantees that enable international trade to take place as easily and securely as possible). We exist to complement not compete with the private sector.