President John Dramani Mahama has announced significant progress on the planned Accra-Kumasi Expressway project, revealing that more than 70 kilometres of the road corridor have already been cleared as preparatory works advance toward full construction.
The President disclosed this during a courtesy call by the Bono Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House, where discussions touched on major infrastructure projects intended to improve transportation and accelerate economic development across the country.
Addressing concerns and expectations surrounding the transformative highway project, President Mahama said work on the expressway had already commenced through the clearing of the right of way, a critical phase that will pave the way for the commencement of construction activities.
According to him, the government awarded the clearing contract to the 48th Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, which has been tasked with opening up the designated corridor for the road project.
“And with the Accra-Kumasi Expressway you commented on, actually, work has begun. What we’ve done is we’ve started clearing the right of way, and we gave that contract to the 48th Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, and they’re doing a fantastic job.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Significant Progress Achieved
President Mahama noted that substantial progress had already been made since work began on the corridor. He explained that before his recent foreign trip, the military engineering team had completed approximately 51 kilometres of clearing works.
However, he disclosed that the latest reports indicate that the exercise has now surpassed the 70-kilometre mark. “Before I travelled the last time, they had cleared 51 kilometres. Currently, I hear they have gone beyond 70 kilometres of clearing the road,” he stated.
The progress represents a major milestone in the government’s efforts to deliver one of the country’s most ambitious road infrastructure projects, which is expected to significantly reduce travel times between Ghana’s two largest cities.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway has been widely viewed as a strategic investment aimed at improving connectivity, facilitating trade and supporting regional development.
Procurement and Compensation Underway
The President indicated that the government is simultaneously undertaking procurement processes necessary for the next phase of the project. He explained that once the right of way has been fully cleared, it will be handed over to the selected contractor to begin construction works.
“We’re going through the procurement processes. Once we clear the road, we’ll hand over the right of way to the contractor,” he said. President Mahama also revealed that compensation payments have already commenced for individuals whose properties and farmlands are expected to be affected by the project.
According to him, the government is committed to ensuring that affected persons receive compensation as work progresses along the designated corridor. “We’ve started paying compensation to all people whose farms or properties are going to be affected by the road,” he added.
The compensation exercise is considered a crucial component of the project, helping to address concerns from affected communities while ensuring that construction proceeds smoothly.
Travel Time Set to Reduce
The President highlighted the anticipated benefits of the expressway, particularly its impact on travel efficiency and economic activity. He noted that the project would significantly shorten the distance between Accra and Kumasi, reducing the current route from approximately 270 kilometres to 198 kilometres.
According to him, the new alignment is expected to make travel faster, safer and more convenient for motorists and commuters. “And like you said, it will reduce the travelling distance from 270 kilometres to 198 kilometres,” President Mahama stated.
He further explained that when completed, the expressway would dramatically cut travel time between the two cities. “So comfortably, if you’re going to Dormaa, Nkransah or Sunyani, at least the Accra-Kumasi stretch, it shouldn’t take you more than two hours to reach Kumasi,” he said.
The anticipated reduction in travel time is expected to boost commercial activity, improve logistics operations and enhance regional mobility across several parts of the country.
Strategic Infrastructure for Economic Growth
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure development agenda aimed at improving transportation networks and supporting economic transformation.
The corridor connects some of Ghana’s most economically active regions and serves as a major route for the movement of goods, services and people.
Transport experts have long argued that improvements to the route could reduce transportation costs, ease traffic congestion and increase productivity across multiple sectors of the economy.
The project is also expected to improve access to markets for businesses and farmers while supporting tourism and investment opportunities along the corridor.
For communities in Bono, Ashanti and other adjoining regions, the expressway is anticipated to strengthen economic linkages and facilitate faster movement between key commercial centres.
Government Targets Timely Completion
President Mahama reaffirmed government’s determination to accelerate implementation of the project and deliver it within the shortest possible time.
While acknowledging the scale and complexity of the undertaking, he expressed optimism that ongoing preparatory works would create the conditions necessary for rapid progress once construction begins.
“And so that is also ongoing, and it’s my hope that we’ll be able to speed it up and finish it as quickly as possible,” he said. His comments underscore the administration’s commitment to advancing critical infrastructure projects considered essential to national development and economic growth.
With clearing works progressing steadily, compensation payments underway and procurement processes advancing, the Accra-Kumasi Expressway appears to be moving from the planning stage toward full implementation, raising expectations among commuters, businesses and communities that stand to benefit from one of Ghana’s most significant road projects.
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