Infrastructure Deficit Widens as Ghana Scores 47 Out of 100 in Quality Index
Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has revealed that Ghana’s infrastructure quality stands at 47 out of 100, ten points below the average for lower-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to Mr Ampem, Ghana currently invests about 5.0 percent of GDP in infrastructure, lower than the LMIC average of 5.4 percent, resulting in a financing gap of 2.8 percent of GDP, significantly higher than the 1.7 percent average recorded among its peers.
“These figures confirm what citizens feel daily,” the Deputy Minister remarked. “City residents cry for better transport systems, industries require reliable and cheaper energy, farmers need irrigation, and our young people demand the digital highways of tomorrow.”
To address these infrastructure challenges, government has reallocated significant portions of petroleum revenues and mineral royalties under the Big Push Initiative to finance large-scale infrastructure projects.
Mr Ampem disclosed that government plans to invest GH¢13.9 billion into the flagship policy, with the amount projected to rise to GH¢21.2 billion by 2028. The planned investment, he noted, is expected to increase capital expenditure by 0.5 percent of GDP over the period, even as government continues to pursue fiscal consolidation.
“This is not just a peppering over the cracks. It is an economic reset backed by a US$10 billion Big Push for infrastructure development,” he asserted.
The Deputy Minister underscored that the initiative forms part of government’s medium-term growth strategy aimed at boosting productivity, attracting private sector participation, and accelerating inclusive economic transformation.
