Government intends to promote rapid development and expansion of modern infrastructure to improve quality service delivery in the country. Projects to be undertaken will include inter-city highways, rehabilitation of the rail network, development of modern educational facilities and the provision of health and social services such as hospitals, industries and water projects. The move is to replace aging infrastructures which pose major challenges in efforts by the government to develop the economy. Mr Fiifi Kwetey, a Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, who disclosed this at a stakeholders forum on a draft Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy in Accra Thursday, said it was crucial to modernise traditional ways of developing infrastructure in the country. "Our roads, railways and gateways badly need urgent attention, many of our bridges are nearing the end of their useful lifespans while our water system and waste management facilities in most of the metropolis have collapsed," he said. Mr. Kwetey noted that most of the traditional methods of funding projects through tax revenues, domestic borrowing, external loans, foreign grants and donor support were not adequate and thus, there was the need to develop more innovative ways. He said building modem infrastructure in a more efficient and cost-effective ways was crucial for accelerated growth of the economy. "Infrastructure drives productivity, supports trade and fuels economic growth. In today's highly competitive world, modem, smart infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a necessity," he said. Mr. Kwetey was optimistic that the private sector would support the government to address the country's infrastructural deficit. The PPP policy framework, he said, would guide the nation’s quest to improve and provide adequate infrastructure for public service delivery. In addition, the policy would provide a legal framework to guide the various actors to tackle the challenges facing the country in the provision of physical infrastructure and essential public services delivery. Lorenzo Bertolini, Senior Private Sector Development Specialist of the World Bank, noted that there was significant deficit in infrastructure and social services that should be tackled in the country. He said the role of the private sector towards improving infrastructure was critical to the development of the country. David Ofosu-Dorte, a member of the draft policy team, said the framework would ensure good quality public service, improve maintenance of public infrastructure and promote private sector development. The chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, P. V. Obeng, who chaired the function, appealed to the private sector to team up with the government to provide modern infrastructure to enhance development. Source: Ghanaian Times