Experts urge urgent reforms to boost Ghana’s public-private partnerships

By Rebecca Okine

An expert panel of policymakers, academics, private sector leaders, and civil society actors has called for urgent reforms to Ghana’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) regulatory framework to accelerate infrastructure delivery and attract greater private sector investment.

The call was made at the 2nd PPP Expert Panel Roundtable held at the British Council in Accra under the theme “Revamping PPP Delivery in Ghana: Policy, Reform, and Acceleration.”

The event was organised by Innovation Inc. (UK) in collaboration with Project Excellence and Innovation Ghana, Anglia Ruskin University (UK), and CUTS West Africa.

Opening the session, Dr Joseph K. Ofori-Kuragu, PPP expert at Anglia Ruskin University and President of Innovation Inc., said Ghana must urgently review and strengthen its PPP ecosystem.

“Robust policies, institutional frameworks and streamlined processes are critical to ensure more projects reach financial close. That is the only way to boost investor confidence and participation in Ghana’s infrastructure agenda,” he explained.

Chairing the discussions, Dr Frederick Addo-Abedi, former Deputy CEO of the Ghana Highways Authority, stressed the need for bold and strategic reforms.

He noted that government agencies should be empowered with greater autonomy to execute PPPs effectively.

“Political leaders must see PPPs not as short-term financing alternatives but as long-term tools for sustainable development,” Dr Addo-Abedi indicated.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr David Ofosu-Dorte, Senior Partner at AB & David Africa, highlighted lessons from historical projects such as the Suez Canal and Ghana’s Akosombo Dam.

He argued that Ghana must draw from past experiences while embracing innovative approaches to future PPPs.

The panel added that reviewing Ghana’s PPP framework is crucial for bridging the country’s infrastructure gap and unlocking private sector financing.