Development finance institutions led by the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a US$81.67 million loan to co-finance sections of the 695-km Eastern Corridor road in Ghana, linking the capital, Accra with the northern hinterland and across the borders to the Sahel region.

Other lenders for the project are the Opec Fund for International Development, the Ghanaian Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is financing a connecting bridge across the Volta River.

The US$113.27 million project covers 60-km of roads, two interchanges and related civil works incorporating community support initiatives to help improve livelihoods in the catchment area. These include rehabilitation of schools and health facilities, construction of markets and agro-processing facilities for livestock, fish, cassava, fruits, and cereals, in addition to skills training.

The project is expected to address the needs of an estimated 230,000 people and impact the lives of over 5.4 million inhabitants by reducing travel and transit time, support education and health services delivery while agricultural potentials of the rural areas will be transformed.