Ghana receives $77 million Switzerland grant

The Government of Switzerland (GoS) has awarded a grant of $77 million (equivalent of CHF65 million) to support the development of a resilient and forward-looking economy in the country.

The grant was made possible through the new State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Cooperation Programme to help create jobs, improve the business environment, enhance effective governance and promote environmental preservation in the next four years.

As a result, the SECO Ghana Cooperation Programme (2025-2028) was launched last Thursday with the aim of building the capacity of the country to withstand global challenges and generate prosperity for citizens.

Significance

Launching the Ghana Cooperation Programme in Accra, the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, explained that the programme was designed to help the country revitalise its economy to withstand challenges.

She said it was also meant to strengthen local governance, ensure a thriving private sector that generates jobs and income, and environmental integrity.

“It is a grant and for that reason must not be paid back, but it is significant that many of the countries are cutting back on their development cooperation, however, the Swiss Government has been able to maintain the envelope for Ghana,” the ambassador said.

She said SECO’s new development cooperation, which was prioritised for Ghana, reinforced Switzerland’s commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth, private sector development and job creation in the country.

Ms Giger said over the decade, the relationship between Ghana and Switzerland had developed into a dynamic and multifaceted partnership.

“Our cooperation ranges from economy and trade, governance and democracy, peace and security, environment and climate change, as well as sustainable development.

“Last year, our trade volumes reached an unprecedented $4.3 billion. The trade was in gold and cocoa, and so in the future, we are looking at more diversified trade relations,” she added.

Transformation

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, said the Ghana Cooperation was a partnership for transformation and a call for action of all stakeholders.

He said it was aimed at building a Ghana that was inclusive, resilient and prosperous, adding that the government was encouraged by the programme’s strong emphasis on decentralisation, institutional strengthening and citizen participation.

“These are not just a policy priority but the foundation of sustainable development and democratic resilience.

As we navigate complex macroeconomic challenges, we recognise that resilient local systems are essential to delivering local services, creating jobs and improving the quality of lives for all Ghanaians.

“This Swiss support will help us deepen reforms in physical decentralisation, enhance local mobilisation and build the capacity of metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to deliver on their mandate,” the minister said.

Strategic partner

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance, Patrick Nomo, also said that Switzerland, through SECO, had demonstrated to be a reliable and strategic development partner contributing significantly to Ghana’s development.

He said areas of support included macroeconomic stability, decentralisation, public financial management, energy sector reforms, urban mobility and private sector development.

“These contributions have yielded tangible results and Ghana is thankful to the people and government of Switzerland,” Mr Nomo said.