His Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, today cut the sod for the commencement of the construction of the US$42 million Western Corridor Fibre Optic Project.
The Western Corridor Fibre Optic Project involves the development, finance, construction, and operation of an ultra-modern backhaul/broadband communication infrastructure, covering the Western Corridor of Ghana to enhance service provision, education and other e-services required under the national ICT for accelerated development policy.
The project involves the laying of around 881 km in-land fibre optic cables for an extensive broadband network along the western corridor passing through major towns such as Takoradi, Atuabo, Elubo, Enchi, Amoya, Asawinso, Wiawso, Awaso and Bibiani.
It will further connect some major towns in the Brong Ahafo Region such as Goaso, Berekum, Sunyani and complete the loop in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The Western Corridor Fibre Optic Project is a private sector led solution and initiative by Spectrum Fibre Company, a wholly Ghanaian owned Special Purpose Vehicle (“SPV”) set up to execute the Project.
The completion of the project will ensure local communities, government, business and key sectors operating within the Western Corridor of the country have access to fast, reliable and affordable broadband network services.
It will also provide easy access to broadband services which will provide new opportunities to businesses, schools, homes and the nation.
The project is expected to create over 12,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase.
His Excellency, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, commented: “I am also very pleased with the role that the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) has played in this project.
“The Government of Ghana established GIIF to help Ghana develop commercially viable infrastructure projects through private sector participation and PPPs and support private sector solutions and private financing.
“It is very gratifying to see them respond to this challenge by working with the local Ghanaian sponsors to provide this critical communications infrastructure. This is a homegrown solution and I look forward to seeing many more GIIF led examples of this going forward’’.
Solomon Asamoah, CEO of GIIF, further noted that: ‘’ ICT is a principle source of growth and job creation and this project will therefore contribute to the country’s transformation thanks to the various anticipated project outcomes’’.
Spectrum Fibre Company on their part reiterated their commitment to this course “Spectrum Fibre aims to contribute its quota in this regard through continuous innovation and investment in critical ICT infrastructure that provides a bedrock for active commercial participation and improvement in ways of working for businesses and the citizenry”
The GIIF is a body corporate wholly owned by the Republic of Ghana and established pursuant to the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund Act, 2014, (Act 877).
The objective of the Fund is to mobilise, manage, coordinate and provide financial resources to: (a) catalyse the development of critical infrastructure in Ghana; and (b) generate a financial return for its shareholders.
By:StephanieHorsu/techvoiceafrica.com
