President John Dramani Mahama has invited Czech companies to invest in Ghana’s ambitious urban rail infrastructure programme, describing it as a key step in transforming mobility and trade across the country and the wider African continent.
Speaking at the Ghana–Czech Business Cooperation Seminar in Accra on Tuesday, President Mahama encouraged Czech businesses to partner with Ghana in the development of tram and light rail networks in the major cities of Accra and Kumasi.
These projects form a central part of the government’s $10 billion “Big Push” infrastructure agenda.
“As proud host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana is enhancing its multimodal infrastructure to support both local and intra-African trade,” the president said, referring to the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He emphasized that Czech expertise in integrated transport systems, particularly in light rail and tramway networks, would be instrumental in realizing Ghana’s infrastructure vision.
“Czech companies specialising in integrated transport systems—particularly trams and light rail—can play a significant role in this effort,” he noted.
The “Big Push” initiative is aimed at opening up the country through large-scale infrastructure investments to reduce urban congestion, boost productivity, and unlock economic opportunities.
President Mahama also encouraged collaboration in other sectors, including digital technologies, healthcare, manufacturing, and sanitation.
He underscored Czech strengths in producing medical equipment, fintech, and cybersecurity, pointing to their potential contributions to Ghana’s development goals.
“Our government is working to go beyond raw commodity exports by developing value-added industries.
Czech expertise can support this ambition, especially in food processing, mineral refining, pharmaceutical production, and light manufacturing,” Mahama said, as quoted in the Daily Graphic on Wednesday.
The president praised the Czech Republic for its ongoing support to Ghana’s health sector, particularly its financial assistance for the mini-hospital in Kpong, which is set to be inaugurated later in the day.
He further invited Czech investors to explore opportunities in Ghana’s growing hospitality, sanitation, and real estate sectors, noting that reforms are underway to improve transparency and ease of doing business.
“We are reforming our regulatory systems to attract more investment,” Mahama told the audience.
“Our investment promotion agencies stand ready to support Czech businesses looking to explore the Ghanaian market.”
Looking ahead, he announced a Ghana–Czech Trade and Investment Forum to be held in Prague later this year and revealed that Ghana had submitted a revised draft of the bilateral trade cooperation agreement, expected to be finalised before year’s end.
“This visit opens a new chapter in our relations.
Let us work together to build mutual growth and prosperity,” Mahama concluded.
