The Brazilian Government, through the Brazilian National Bank of Social and Economic Development (BNDES), is set to release funds to the tune of $17,000,000.00 to Ghana’s government for the construction of a hangar, offices and workshops at the Accra Air Force Base for the Ghana Air Force.

The project would be executed by Contracta, a Brazilian company. It would involve the provision of equipment and fire tenders and buses for the Ghana Air Force.

The funding agreement was attained as a result of the Brazil-Ghana meeting held by former President John Kufour and former President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the first Africa-South America (ASA) Summit in 2006. At that meeting, it was agreed that Brazil and Ghana should work together with the view of promoting infrastructure development in Ghana based on Brazilian capacities and technology.

In 2008, official discussions commenced between the two governments regarding Brazilian official loans and credit facilities in respect of commitment made by both presidents. Indeed, the initial focus was on the possibility of providing concessional credit for the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Oti and the White Volta Rivers.

Negotiations later revolved around financing the construction of tranches 5 and 6 of the Eastern Corridor Road project and the projects at the Air Force Base. With 34 percent of the funds already disbursed and the remaining to follow within the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in July 2014, Contracta has already started foundation works in earnest.

Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, Irene Vida Gala, pointed out that the necessary conditions had been fully established for the strengthening and expansion of Brazil–Ghana financial cooperation. Such an action, she stated, would make future negotiations easier and brief because the route had already been opened.

“There is trust, knowledge and understanding between the parties and even more important, the political commitment of both Governments remains strong,” she stressed.

The Brazilian envoy disclosed that Contracta, the company undertaking the Airforce Base project, had been an outstanding reference of Brazilian managerial and technological capacity and therefore would provide high standards of professionalism in the execution of all projects in Ghana.

She also hoped that the Ghanaian government would permit them to use such expertise in the renovation of the Kumasi Central Market, which would certainly bring remarkable social and economic benefits to the country, especially to Kumasi.

She mentioned some on-going projects that major Brazilian constructing companies are executing in Ghana. Queiroz Galvão is currently working at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, Tamale Airport in the Northern Region and a large housing project, near Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

She expressed optimism that the cordial relations between Brazil and Ghana would be strengthened. Some of the dignitaries, who graced the occasion, were the former Minister for Defence, Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith (Retired) and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Michael Samson-Oje.