Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that the Government of Ghana has deposited US$1.7 billion into a dedicated Bank of Ghana account to finance the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, describing the project as the flagship initiative under the Mahama administration’s Big Push programme.
He made the announcement while presenting the 2026 Mid Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 23. The Minister said the funds have been ring fenced exclusively for the expressway project and will only be accessed after the award of the main construction contract.
He added that Government has made significant progress on preparatory works, including land clearance, engineering studies and project design, positioning the project for construction to begin once procurement is completed.
A major highlight of the Minister’s presentation was the confirmation that the Government has secured dedicated financing for the expressway. He told Parliament that “As of 22 July 2026, 1.7 billion USD has been deposited into a dedicated Accra-Kumasi Expressway account at the Bank of Ghana.”
Reinforcing the point, he added, “Mr Speaker, for emphasis, as at yesterday, 22 July 2026, the Government of Ghana has deposited 1.7 billion USD into a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana solely for this project.“
Dr Ato Forson stressed that the funds have been ring-fenced exclusively for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway and cannot be diverted to any other purpose. “The funds have been ring-fenced and will be used only after the main construction contract is awarded,” he stated.
Accra-Kumasi Expressway remains flagship infrastructure project
Dr Ato Forson described the Accra-Kumasi Expressway as the flagship project under the Government’s Big Push programme, stressing that it will transform transport between Ghana’s two largest commercial centres.
According to him, the project involves the construction of a 176 kilometre six lane bi directional expressway linking Accra and Kumasi. Once completed, the highway is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to approximately two hours while significantly improving road safety and reducing traffic congestion.
The expressway will also lower transport costs and incorporate modern infrastructure including interchanges, bridges, intelligent transport systems, electronic tolling, emergency response facilities and rest ports.
The Finance Minister told Parliament that Government has already made substantial progress in preparing the project for construction.
Ghana Armed Forces clear 70 per cent of corridor
Providing an update on preparatory works, Dr Ato Forson said the Ghana Armed Forces have made rapid progress in clearing the right of way required for the project. “As of 22 July 2026, the Ghana Armed Forces have cleared 122 kilometres, representing about 70 per cent of the 120 metre wide right of way in just 12 weeks,” he said.
He informed Parliament that the entire project corridor is expected to be cleared by the first week of September 2026. The Minister further disclosed that compensation assessments, environmental studies, engineering design and feasibility works are all progressing simultaneously to ensure that implementation remains on schedule.
Engineering design and procurement timetable announced
Government has also outlined timelines for the remaining preparatory activities before construction begins. Dr Ato Forson stated that both the feasibility study and the detailed engineering design are expected to be completed by the end of August 2026.
He explained that procurement for the main construction contract is scheduled to commence in September 2026 immediately after the completion of the technical studies.
The Minister said these milestones demonstrate Government’s determination to ensure that every technical, legal and financial requirement is satisfied before work officially starts on site.
Government expresses confidence ahead of sod cutting
The Finance Minister said the government is confident that all conditions necessary for the commencement of construction will be in place before the official launch of the project. He concluded by assuring Parliament that both the required financial resources and project preparations are advancing as planned.
“Government is therefore confident that all the requirements for this transformational project, including the resources and the money, will be in place when His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama cuts the sod for the construction of the project to begin.”
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
The announcement marks a significant milestone in Government’s infrastructure agenda as it prepares to launch one of Ghana’s most ambitious road projects aimed at strengthening transport connectivity between Accra-Kumasi while supporting economic growth under the Big Push programme.
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