Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, Sept 2, GNA
– The $42 million Western Corridor Fibre Optic Project, which is a private
sector-led initiative is to ensure access to high quality, fast, reliable and
affordable broadband network service within the Western Region.
The Western Corridor
project to be executed within 18months would involve the laying of about 881
kilometre in-land fibre optic cables for an extensive broadband network passing
through major towns such as Takoradi, Atuabo, Elubo, Enchi, Amoya, Asawinso,
Sefwi Wiawso, Awaso and Bibiani.
The project being
executed by Spectrum Fibre Company, a Ghanaian owned Special Purpose Vehicle
(SPV) would 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 would further
connect some major towns in the Brong Ahafo including Goaso, Berekum, Sunyani
and would complete the loop in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia,
the Vice President who cut the sod for the start of the construction of the
Western Corridor Fibre Optic Infrastructure Project at Takoradi in the Western
Region said it was a whole new opportunity for businesses, schools, homes and
the nation at large.
He said communication
technology was moving at a fast speed and Ghana could not afford to stay behind
hence the investment in modern technology adding, “Government is poised to
formalise the economy through digitisation and leveraging of Information,
Communication Technology (ICT).”
“We are also
pleased with the assistance of the Denmark government for handing over the
Eastern Corridor Fibre Optic Network Extension Project to the Ministry of
Communications”.
The project which
connects the Eastern Corridor Optic Fibre from Ho to Accra links about 120
communities along the way, adding that
the Western Corridor fibre project fitted into government’s desire to expand
ICT as an enabler of change connectivity, ease of doing business and economic
enhancement.
Dr Bawumia said the
government established the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) to help
Ghana develop commercially viable infrastructure projects through private
sector participation.
“It is very gratifying
to see them respond to this challenge by working with the local Ghanaian
sponsors to provide this critical communications infrastructure…it is a
home-grown solution and I look forward to seeing many more GIIF led examples of
this going forward”, he added.
The Western Corridor
Project, expected to create 12,000 direct and indirect jobs during the
construction phase, would involve the development, finance, construction and
operation of an ultra-modern back haul and broadband communication
infrastructure.
The Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of GIIF, Solomon Asamoah pointed out that ICT was a principle
source of growth and job creation and that the project would contribute to the
country’s transformation because of the various anticipated project outcomes.
Prof Christopher
Ameyaw-Ekumfi, Board Chairman of GIIF said the office was enthused about the
willingness of the wholly owned Ghanaian company to develop an ICT project
which could become a strategic asset for the country’s economic growth.
Mr Frank Osei -Wusu
who spoke on behalf of the initiators of the project said the company aimed at
contributing its quota through continuous innovation and investment in critical
ICT infrastructure that provided the bedrock for active commercial
participation.
The Western Regional
Minister, Dr Kweku Afriyie expressed his excitement about the numerous benefits
the project would offer the people of the region including; job creation, easy
access to quality education and assisting in the mining and the oil and gas
operations.
GNA