STROFY

Minister of Finance says ALL $ 3 billion needed to finance the Accra-Kumasi Expressway is safely lodged in a holding account at the Bank of Ghana. Procurement processes are nearing completion for the selection of contractors to execute the project.

Under Pillar 4 of the New Economy Programme, a US$1.5 Billion Investment will be made in Critical Minerals Value Addition Focus on four major minerals:  Manganese.  Bauxite.  Lithium.  Gold. Key targets: A. Gold Refine at least 70% of artisanal and small-scale gold locally by December 2027. Increase local refining to 100% by December 2028. Prohibit exports of raw artisanal, small-scale and medium-scale gold from 2028. B. Manganese and bauxite Process at least 50% locally by the end of 2028.Achieve 100% local processing by the end of 2030. Prohibit raw manganese and bauxite exports by 2030. Use bauxite for alumina refining and aluminium smelting. C. Lithium Begin with local lithium refining. Progressively develop the capacity to produce:  Battery-grade chemicals.  Battery components.  Battery cells. D. Critical minerals processing infrastructure. Establish a 24-hour critical minerals processing enclave in the Western Region. Construct a railway line from Takoradi to Nyinahin beginning in 2027.Connect major mineral-producing towns, including Nsuta and Awaso. Transport manganese and bauxite to the Western Region for local processing. Develop Takoradi Port as Ghana's principal maritime gateway to the Sahel. Extend the railway from Nyinahin to Hamile in the Upper West Region from 2030. Establish a modern inland port at Hamile to serve Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and the wider Sahel.