An odyssey in blue and gold

An Indian construction company is all set to leave an indelible mark on Ghana's presidential complex.

Blue and gold will be the theme of the new presidential palace and seat of government of Ghana that is being built by Indian construction major Shapoorji Pallonji and Mumbai-based architect firm Stup Forum.

Borrowing from the pyramids of Egypt and traditional Ghanian tribal constructs, the monumental structure "" with sweeping gold-tinted walls and blue waterfalls cascading down to manicured lawns "" will carry associations with Ghana's former name, Gold Coast.

The complex, estimated to cost $36.9 million, is being funded partly by the Government of India through a $30 million line of credit of Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM). The line of credit is on concessional terms, with a moratorium of five years and a repayment period of over 20 years. It also includes a considerable element of grant.

The new presidential complex is a part of the master plan for new Accra with the Flagstaff House (where Ghana's first president Kwameh Nkrumah, a close friend of Jawaharlal Nehru, lived) as the nerve centre. It is designed to be both monumental and functionally more effective than the current seat of government at the Castle.

The presidential complex and seat of government will have a total built-up area of around 14,000 sq mt and will be located at the site of the erstwhile Flagstaff House. It is located centrally on Liberation Avenue, close to the Revolution Square which has a total area of 70 acres.

The complex will accommodate the presidential and vice presidential offices and the offices of key ministers, the chief of staff's offices and the president's official residence, state ceremonial hall and a presidential gallery.

It will also incorporate state-of-the-art communication facilities along with a proposal to landscape the surrounding area, with water bodies. A sports complex may also be incorporated at a later stage. The original Flagstaff House is also being preserved as it is within the new complex.

The building walls will incorporate a lot of traditional Ghanian Adinkara (tribal) symbols, some of which will be created locally by Ghanian artisans while the rest will be made by Indian craftsmen.

Says S Kuppuswamy, president, Afcons, the Shapoorji Pallonji division that is building the palace, "It will be an Esco building with energy-saving features. The outer walls are aluminium curtains with glass inside which will help in keeping the cooling costs low throughout the building. And we have tried to cut a minimum of trees, ensuring that the entire area remains green and retains its original flora."

The Ghana project is Shapoorji Pallonji's first foray into Africa. A 140-year-old company that's been in the construction business since 1865, it has built some of the best known landmarks in India, West Asia and Africa, including the marble and stone palace of the Sultan of Oman.

The palace was also the first international project for the Indian company. Besides the main residence, the court, ladies' and children's wings, a guest wing, palace office, prayer hall and a helipad on the roof of the court were also constructed.

It also built the Robat Stadium in Muscat, the Ebene Cyber City, adjudged the most intelligent building in the world, as well as the Les Pailles cultural centre in Mauritius.

Serena hotel in Kabul, one of Afghanistan's first international construction projects in the post-Taliban era was done by Shapoorji Pallonji. It is currently building the Providence Cricket Stadium at Guyana, which will host the 2007 cricket World Cup. What's more, the company has recently won the contract for the conruction of a seven-star hotel in Abu Dhabi by the Al Fahim group.

But for now, Shapoorji Pallonji will enjoy its journey into Africa.