The World Bank has approved $150m International Development Association (IDA) credit for Transport Sector Improvement Project (TSIP) in Ghana. 

The credit will be used for improving regional connectivity in the northern region by rehabilitating the roads between Tamale to Yendi and Tatale on the Eastern border with Togo. 

It will also be used for development of 200km feeder roads that will link agricultural value chains to markets.

World Bank Ghana country director Henry Kerali said: “Our support to Ghana under the TSIP seeks to respond to Government’s priorities of inclusive economic growth, job creation, increased efficiency in delivering public services, and better accountability to citizens.”

TSIP is aimed at reducing travel times on certain parts of the classified road network in Northern Ghana, improve safety and bolster the institutional management of the transport sector with a performance-based contracting methodology.

"Our support to Ghana under the TSIP seeks to respond to the government’s priorities of inclusive economic growth, job creation, increased efficiency in delivering public service."

Upon completion of the project, farmers living in this region will benefit as they will be able to transport their produce to their value chain buyers and local communities will have a better access to social services such as schools and clinics.

TSIP will be primarily focusing on three main areas that include improving safety by implementing a road accident data management system and create a computerised solution to manage Ghana's driver and vehicle licensing database. 

The project is also considering to develop road tolling policy, by modernising road management institutions, as well as through public-private partnerships in the road sector.

Established in 1960 by World Bank, IDA offers help to the poor countries worldwide by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes to boost economic growth, as well as improve lives of people living in poverty.