The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has pledged financial support towards the construction of three major infrastructural projects in Ghana, this year.

The Tamale Airport, Bekwai Hospital project and Kumasi Central Market are expected to receive funding to either undergo major expansion or construction or facilitate the installation of essential equipment as part of the UK Government’s partnership agreements with Ghana.

The UK’s Minister for Africa, Mrs Harriet Baldwin, announced the support at the end of the second UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) meeting, in London.

The meeting, co-chaired by Mrs Baldwin and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, brought together Ministers and other government officials from both countries as well as captains of industry to deliberate on ways to deepen business and other bilateral ties between the two countries.

“We will be backing the modernisation of Kumasi Central Market with a total of 80 million Euros in support of this major trading centre. It’s visited by over 800,000 people every day and it will see upgrades of electrical networks, water supplies, generators, fire detection systems and public transport,” Mrs Baldwin said.

Additionally, the UK would back the expansion of Tamale Airport, which would include the construction of a modern and new international terminal building.

It’s a 56 million-dollar loan, which would enable the Airport’s expansion to improve tourists’ access and promote economic growth as well facilitate Hajj pilgrimage with a new multi-purpose facility.

More so it would back the completion of Bekwai Hospital, which would be led by the Eurofinsa Group and insurance firm Ellipse UK, UK Export Finance (UKEF’s) guarantee of a 20-million euro loan to support every aspect of the hospital’s construction.

It would include the construction of 120 new beds, an emergency department, a maternity ward and an operating theatre.

Mrs Baldwin said the announcement was “just a flavour of some of the amazing announcements that had come through as a result of the UK-Ghana Business Council meeting.”

“It’s something we’re committed to doing with a six-month frequency in terms of taking this agenda forward.”

The over-arching goal of the UKGBC is to match as closely as possible Ghana’s needs with UK’s expertise, financing and private sector support.

The London meeting explored new strategies and opportunities to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.

The UK-Ghana Business Council will next meet in Accra in October, this year.

GNA