Parliament has granted approval for a concession agreement between the Government of Ghana and Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited for the construction of a new Accra-Kumasi Expressway.
The proposed multi-lane, access-controlled expressway project is a flagship initiative under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure program aimed at linking the national capital, Accra, with the business hub of Kumasi.
It seeks to replace the current, heavily congested highway, which carries over 10,000 vehicles daily.
Already, the existing road, a critical artery connecting Accra to the Ashanti, Bono, and five Northern regions, is notoriously hazardous.
Plagued by potholes, uneven surfaces, and inadequate lighting, it has long been described as a commuting nightmare and a death trap.
The government intends to address these issues by constructing a modern six-lane dual-carriage expressway through a concession agreement, aiming to improve travel, boost road infrastructure, and facilitate economic activity between the two cities.
During deliberations, members of the Minority caucus raised concerns, particularly regarding the fate of the existing highway and the readiness of the new project.
MP for Ofoase/Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, cautioned that no feasibility study has yet been completed.
“Contrary to the impressions created that this project is ready to go, actually, even the feasibility of this project has not been done. My caution to government is to manage the risks pretty well,” he stated.
He also challenged the assurance that project financing was secure, warning that if both the old highway’s maintenance and the new project draw from strained government revenues, neither might be completed satisfactorily.
In response, the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza, defended the project, describing the “Big Push” as an unprecedented endeavor deserving of support.
The expressway will be executed under a concession agreement with the Republic of Ghana as the Contracting Authority.
The Concessionaire, Accra-Kumasi Expressway Ltd., is a wholly-owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) incorporated by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The SPV’s board includes representation from the Ministries of Roads and Highways, Finance, and the Attorney General’s Department. It is wholly funded by government budgetary allocation as part of the “Big Push” initiative.
