Gov’t to set up Project Development Fund

Government would set up a Project Development Fund, to give every project initiative the opportunity to proceed beyond the concept state.

Mrs Mona Helen Quartey, Deputy Minister of Finance in-charge of Economic Strategy, said, such a fund would be used to prepare projects. “If we prepare our projects well, we predispose ourselves to making the right decision about the best ways to implement them,” she observed.

Mrs Quartey made the announcement on Friday in Accra at the maiden National Project Management Conference, organised by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Ghana Chapter.

The aim of the conference was for project managers to discuss current project management perspectives and initiate the commencement of the transformation agenda of the nation through value for money project deliveries with effective project management practices nationwide.

“Though we understand that every project must bring us value-for-money, we also appreciate that for certain social projects in areas such as health, water, education, security, and rural intervention programming, we may need to provide financial support.

“When necessary we will administer viability gap funds under a scheme to be managed strictly on project management basis,” the Deputy Minister said. She said government had already launched a public-private partnership (PPP) policy, and is implementing the programme.

She indicated that under it, government is considering for PPP implementation projects, which could demonstrate economic and financial viabilities and value-for-money.

Mrs Quartey said sometimes though projects do not show financial viability, government could implement them as PPP projects if they fall within government priorities and meet other pre-determined criteria.

She mentioned the efforts to dualise Accra-Takoradi and Accra-Kumasi highways, the expansion of the Takoradi Port to handle increased businesses, and the extension of the Accra-Tema Motorway as part of projects being processed for PPP delivery.

Other projects under consideration for PPP execution include the bulk water treatment plant for development at Asutsuare, a sport facilities complex at Winneba Sports College, and two health facilities at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The Deputy Minister noted that government is using all these projects as learning incubators for aggressive rollout of long term national development programme.

Mrs Quartey said the PPP policy introduces private sector efficiencies in public infrastructure delivery and management; and also brings in the necessary funds for investment.

She said the benefits of PPP include job creation opportunities, increased economic activities and economic growth. She urged PMI Ghana to make the profession relevant to the country by customising the PMI Global Standards for the country.