Construction Of Mahama’s $2bn Expressway Starts Soon

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has set aside $2 billion to finance the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, insisting that the project will be funded with Ghana’s own resources, without borrowing.

A section of the Accra–Kumasi Expressway Project

According to President Mahama, the money has already been placed in a special account at the Bank of Ghana, ensuring that funding will not delay the project once construction begins.

“Let me announce that the Minister of Finance has put aside $2 billion for financing this Accra-Kumasi Expressway. The money is ready. It is sitting in a special account at the Bank of Ghana,” he said.

He added that the government would ensure prompt payment of certificates submitted by the contractor, saying “When this project starts, money is not going to be the problem. All certificates presented by the contractor will be paid instantly.”

President Mahama stressed that the financing was not secured through borrowing. “And let me also announce that this is our own money. We have not gone to borrow money from anywhere.

“This money is the money of the taxpayers of Ghana and the Minister has assured that by the end of the year, we will have the full amount. So far, $2 billion is in the account.”

He said the full amount required for completion of the project would be available by the end of the year.

The President made the announcement on Monday, September 14, 2026 when the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) handed over the cleared right of way for the project to the government.

The GAF, through the 48 Engineers Regiment, completed the clearance of 175.6 kilometres of the project corridor in 19 weeks, one week ahead of the scheduled 20-week timeframe.

President Mahama said the cleared corridor stretches from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region, and described the completion of the task as critical to the preparatory works for the expressway.

The proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway is expected to cover 198.7 kilometres and would have six lanes.

President Mahama said the new alignment would reduce the travelling distance between Accra and Kumasi by almost 70 kilometres, compared with the existing 270-kilometre route.

He said the expressway would also be designed to allow motorists to travel at a recommended speed of 120 kilometres per hour, potentially reducing the journey between the two cities.

“Even if he is travelling at 100 kilometres an hour, it means that the journey will take him two hours, instead of the five to six hours that we currently use on the old Accra-Kumasi Highway,” he said.

The President said the project would also feature two toll interchanges, eight interchanges, four rest stops, tow trucks and CCTV cameras along the route.

He explained that the expressway was being developed under a special purpose vehicle, Accra Kumasi Expressway Limited, registered under the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, which would be responsible for managing the road.

President Mahama said the government had already advertised an expression of interest for companies interested in constructing the expressway and given them four weeks to submit their interest.

He said this would be followed by pre-qualification and the selection of a contractor, with the expectation that the government would return before the end of the year to cut the sod for construction.

“We will return here before the end of the year and come and cut the sword for work on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway,” he said.

President Mahama further directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to incorporate the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Regiment as a major subcontractor to the main contractor for the project.

He also said the Engineers Regiment would be deployed to the Greater Accra orbital to establish and clear its right of way.

The President commended the Ghana Armed Forces and announced that the Engineers Regiment would receive an Order of the Companion of the Volta at the next National Honours, to mark Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence.

The Minister for Defence, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, for his part, commended the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), particularly the Engineer Corps, for completing the clearance of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway corridor ahead of schedule.

Mr Adjei said the completion of the task in 19 weeks demonstrated the discipline, planning and technical competence of the Engineer Corps.

“We are deeply honoured by the task proposed in the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the Engineer Corps, to execute this complex clearance from Accra to Kumasi.

“The accomplishment of the task in a record 19 weeks ahead of schedule reflects discipline, planning and technical competence,” he said.

He commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and the Engineer Corps for their professionalism and dedication, while expressing appreciation to the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Roads and Highways, local authorities and communities along the corridor for their cooperation.

Mr Adjei said the project had provided dual benefits to the Ghana Armed Forces by serving the nation while enhancing its operational readiness, equipment holdings and personnel training.“It stands as a testament to the Armed Forces’ role as a dependable partner in national development,” he said.

He assured President Mahama and Ghanaians that the GAF remained professional, capable and ready to undertake similar tasks of national importance.

The post Construction Of Mahama’s $2bn Expressway Starts Soon appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.