President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of the 73.6-kilometer Cape Coast–Takoradi dual carriageway, describing the project as a critical step in Ghana’s quest to modernize its transport infrastructure, enhance productivity, and strengthen regional integration.
Addressing a large gathering of traditional leaders, government officials, contractors, and residents during the ceremony, President Mahama said the project formed part of a broader plan to transform the country’s major transport arteries into safer, faster, and more efficient road networks.
He said the dualization of the Cape Coast–Takoradi stretch represents more than a road construction initiative—it is a declaration of the country’s collective resolve to rebuild and modernize its infrastructure to support jobs, competitiveness, and national cohesion.
“We are gathered here to turn the sod for the dualization of the Cape Coast–Takoradi road, one of the most vital transport corridors in our country. This project is more than a road; it is a declaration of our shared resolve to rebuild Ghana’s infrastructure as a foundation for jobs, competitiveness, and national unity.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The President explained that the project is an integral part of the Big Push infrastructure program and the 24-hour economy policy—two flagship initiatives of his administration aimed at expanding industrial access, modernizing transport systems, and driving continuous economic activity.
The Cape Coast–Takoradi road, he said, forms part of Ghana’s N1 Highway and the Trans-West African Highway, linking Accra to Takoradi—Ghana’s main industrial and port city.
The corridor, which carries more than 90 percent of freight and passenger movement to the Western Region, is also a key link between the country’s mining, oil, agricultural, and tourism sectors.
“The current single carriageway has long outlived its designed life. It has become congested, accident-prone, and inefficient, leading to the loss of lives and productivity. This must change, and today we are making that change irreversible.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Three Contiguous Lots for Efficiency
The project, which covers 73.6 kilometres from Cape Coast to Takoradi, will be divided into three contiguous lots for efficiency and speed of delivery.
Each lot will be handled by a separate contractor, a move the President said was designed to ensure rapid progress and avoid delays that often accompany single-contractor arrangements.
The first lot, awarded to SNL Construction and Engineering Limited, will deliver three interchanges, four bridges, and two pedestrian facilities. The second lot, handled by Alicro Jewelers Limited, will include two interchanges, three large bridges, and four pedestrian crossings.
The third lot, again awarded to SNL Construction and Engineering Limited, will provide four interchanges, three major bridges, seven footbridges, about 20 kilometers of service roads, a rest stop, and an axleway station.
The President emphasized that the road will be designed for speeds between 80 and 100 kilometers per hour, with paved shoulders, improved drainage systems, LED lighting, and polymer-modified asphalt surfaces for enhanced durability and safety.
According to the President, each lot is expected to be completed within 24 months, though contractors have assured the government they may deliver earlier.
“When completed, this project will reduce travel time between Cape Coast and Takoradi by 50 percent. It will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians alike, facilitate easier access to the Takoradi Port and the industrial enclaves of the Western Region, and enhance tourism and trade between the Central and Western Regions.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He added that the project would generate more than 8,000 jobs—2,000 direct and 6,000 indirect—during the construction phase, urging contractors to prioritize local employment. “If you have to recruit labour, please look in the local communities and see if you can find the expertise you need,” he appealed.
Strict Supervision
President Mahama further noted that the Ghana Highway Authority will provide strict supervision to ensure contractors adhere to the highest standards of quality and environmental responsibility.
“We expect you to use quality materials to execute these jobs. This project must stand as a legacy of professionalism, integrity, and national renewal.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He described the project as a cornerstone of his government’s Reset Agenda and 24-hour economy policy, aimed at enabling faster and more efficient logistics and transport operations nationwide.
The dual carriageway, he said, will reduce fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance costs, strengthen connectivity to export processing zones and industrial corridors, and reinforce Ghana’s regional competitiveness along the Atlantic coast.
“The Cape Coast–Takoradi dualization complements other major projects such as the Takoradi Port Expansion, the Western Rail Revival, and the Atimpoku–Hohoe–Aflao Road Reconstruction. Each represents a deliberate step toward a more integrated and productive economy.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Stakeholders Support
President Mahama used the occasion to call on all stakeholders—government agencies, contractors, and local communities—to ensure environmental protection, proper drainage, and responsible waste management throughout the project’s implementation.
He assured affected residents that all legitimate compensation claims related to right-of-way acquisitions would be honoured promptly. “Government will not repeat the mistakes of the past where infrastructure came at the cost of people’s livelihoods,” the President assured.
He commended the Minister of Roads and Highways Hon Governs Kwame Agbodza and his team, the Ghana Highway Authority, and the Central and Western Regional Coordinating Councils for their dedication and cooperation.
The President also expressed appreciation to traditional authorities, contractors, engineers, and residents along the corridor for their support and patience.
“This project belongs to you. It is being built for your safety, your livelihoods, and your future. Let us all play our part to ensure its timely completion.
“From government agencies to contractors and communities, let us safeguard the works, avoid encroachments, and support supervision.”
President John Dramani Mahama
In a deeply symbolic reflection, President Mahama said the project represents more than physical infrastructure—it is a bridge between Ghana’s aspirations and achievements. “This road is a bridge not only between Cape Coast and Takoradi but between our aspirations and our achievements, between promise and progress,” he declared.
“Let this project remind us that development is not an abstract concept. It is the daily improvement of people’s lives, kilometer by kilometer, community by community. May this road carry the hopes of traders, the dreams of students, the labor of farmers, and the vision of a country determined to rise again.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The President concluded with a pledge to return to commission the completed Cape Coast–Takoradi Dual Carriageway. “With faith in God and confidence in our people, I now declare the project duly launched,” the President ended.
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