Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza has described the Accra-Kumasi Expressway as a strategic national corridor that will play a critical role in Ghana’s economic development.
According to him, the project goes far beyond the construction of another major road. It is intended to improve connectivity, link production centres to markets, support the 24-hour economy, create jobs and boost productivity.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project to contractors in the Ashanti Region, Mr Agbodza said the project forms part of the government’s Big Push infrastructure agenda. He explained that the agenda seeks to move the country away from fragmented infrastructure interventions and towards deliberate investments that support economic activities, including industry, tourism and social development.
“The construction of the expressway is not only another project. It is a strategic national corridor,” Mr Agbodza said.
12-lane expressway
The Minister said the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway is designed as a 12-lane, high-speed corridor, supported by connecting roads and metropolitan links. The project is intended to complement Ghana’s national highway network and provide more predictable journeys as population growth and increasing commercial activity continue to put pressure on existing road capacity.
“The objective is to build a modern corridor to international standards and to manage it as a long-term national asset,” he said.
Mr Agbodza disclosed that the government has established Ghana Expressway Limited as a dedicated special-purpose vehicle to drive the development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the project. He said the structure would provide clear institutional responsibility, defined accountability and a framework for the professional long-term management of the expressway.
According to the Minister, the procurement process is being advanced through international competitive qualification, with the government seeking companies that have strong technical and financial capacity and demonstrable experience in major infrastructure projects.
Local participation and skills transfer
Mr Agbodza said the project is also expected to build lasting capacity in Ghana by creating opportunities for local engineers, contractors, consultants, suppliers and young professionals. He said the government expects the project to facilitate skills and technology transfer while ensuring meaningful participation by local businesses without compromising the technical, financial and safety standards required.
The Minister also addressed concerns about ongoing works on the existing Accra-Kumasi Highway, insisting that the road has not been abandoned. He said President John Dramani Mahama has directed that sections of the existing highway under contract should be completed. According to him, one section was completed and handed over last week, while four contractors are expected to return to site by the close of the week. He specifically noted that Hammock Limited is already back on site.
Mr Agbodza said the government’s broader strategy is to build and rehabilitate strategic highways across the country, with the Accra-Kumasi corridor forming an important part of that network. He expressed confidence that the Accra-Kumasi Expressway would contribute to Ghana’s long-term development by improving connectivity and supporting economic activity for future generations.
