Accra-Tema Motorway project to serve as model for infrastructure financing – ATEL CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of A.T. Expressway Limited (ATEL), Louis Harrison, says the Accra-Tema Motorway and Extensions Project is expected to establish a new model for financing and delivering major infrastructure projects in Ghana without placing the entire financial burden on the state.

Speaking at a media engagement in Accra on Wednesday, October 28, Mr Harrison said the project represents a significant milestone in Ghana’s infrastructure development, demonstrating how Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can attract private and institutional investment into critical national projects.

He explained that the motorway project is Ghana’s first PPP toll road concession, operating under a 30-year arrangement through which ATEL will finance, reconstruct, expand, operate and maintain the motorway and its extensions.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with the government through the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highway Authority, with the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) serving as sponsor.

“This matters beyond one road. If we get this right, and we intend to, the Accra-Tema Motorway becomes the template for how Ghana can deliver quality infrastructure without placing the full burden on the public purse,” he stated.

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Mr Harrison noted that the project had attracted interest from investors, lenders and policymakers monitoring the development of PPP infrastructure financing in Ghana and across the sub-region.

Reflecting on the motorway’s historical significance, he recalled that the road, opened in 1965 as Ghana’s first motorway, was originally constructed to connect Accra to Tema, the country’s principal industrial city and port.

However, he said growing traffic volumes, increased commercial activities and freight movement to and from Tema Port had placed enormous pressure on the road, making its reconstruction and expansion necessary.

“Six decades on, that ambition has outgrown the road. Traffic volumes today are far beyond anything the original designers imagined,” he said.

He stressed that the project would restore the motorway to modern standards, improve road safety and support economic activities across the Greater Accra Region.

Mr Harrison also acknowledged the inconvenience caused by ongoing construction works, particularly traffic diversions, lane closures and delays affecting commuters, traders, residents and businesses along the corridor.

He assured the public that ATEL would prioritise safety, communicate construction activities promptly and deliver a modern expressway that justifies the patience of road users.

“Our commitment is simple. We will communicate early and clearly about works that affect you. We will put safety first, for road users and for the workers on site. And we will deliver a road that is worthy of the patience the public is showing us today,” he assured.

As part of efforts to promote transparency and public accountability, ATEL launched its official website, www.atexpresswayltd.com, to provide regular updates on construction progress, traffic diversions, safety notices and project milestones.

According to Mr Harrison, the platform will serve as a central source of information for motorists, residents, journalists and investors seeking updates on the project.

He emphasised that a project of such national importance must be executed transparently, with the public regularly informed about progress and challenges.

Mr Harrison also commended President John Dramani Mahama for prioritising road infrastructure under the government’s Big Push agenda, describing the motorway project as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to providing safe and modern roads.

He further acknowledged Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson for supporting innovative infrastructure financing arrangements and Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza for his leadership and continued support.

The ATEL CEO expressed appreciation to the Ghana Highway Authority, GIIF, contractor Maripoma Enterprise Limited and consultants Associated Consultants for their respective contributions.

He expressed confidence that the completed project would restore the motorway’s historical significance while demonstrating Ghana’s capacity to deliver sustainable infrastructure through partnerships.

“The Accra-Tema Motorway was built sixty years ago as a symbol of what Ghana could achieve. Our task, with the support of Government and our partners, is to make it that symbol again: a modern, safe and well-managed expressway, delivered through a partnership that proves what Ghanaians can do together,” he concluded.