The World Bank has approved US$500 million in financing for a major rural infrastructure programme in Ghana aimed at improving road connectivity, strengthening agricultural value chains and boosting economic opportunities for rural communities.
The Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project (GMACP) will rehabilitate and maintain key feeder roads across the country, helping farmers gain better access to markets, reduce transport costs and minimise post-harvest losses that have long undermined agricultural productivity.
According to the World Bank, the project is expected to directly benefit more than 550,000 people, including about 350,000 farmers, 250,000 women and 310,000 young people. It is also projected to create over 5,000 direct jobs and more than 25,000 indirect jobs through construction and maintenance activities.
“This project will improve access to markets and opportunities for rural communities while strengthening Ghana’s agricultural competitiveness and resilience,” said Robert Taliercio.
The initiative will be implemented by Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways and will support the rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 1,000 kilometres of rural roads.
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The road works will cover four clusters spanning nine regions: Upper West Region, Northern Region, Savannah Region, Oti Region, Volta Region, Eastern Region, Ashanti Region, Bono Region and Western Region.
These regions are among Ghana’s leading producers of staple crops such as maize, rice, yam and cassava, but farmers often struggle to transport produce to markets because of poor road conditions.
The World Bank said improved all-season roads are expected to reduce travel times, lower transportation costs and improve the reliability of agricultural supply chains. Better market access could also help farmers move into higher-value agricultural activities and increase household incomes.
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The project is expected to contribute to Ghana’s broader food security goals by reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening agricultural value chains and improving the flow of food from production centres to consumers.
Climate resilience has been incorporated into the project design, with roads and drainage systems planned to withstand the increasing risks posed by extreme weather events and climate change.
The programme also includes measures to improve the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s road network. These include support for the operationalisation of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund and the introduction of performance-based maintenance contracts to ensure roads remain in good condition after rehabilitation.
In addition, technical assistance will be provided to strengthen institutional capacity within the road sector and improve maintenance planning and implementation.
The World Bank said the project aligns with efforts to enhance rural connectivity, stimulate economic growth and build resilience in Ghana’s agricultural sector, which remains a major source of employment and livelihoods across the country.
