Ghana’s ambitious Accra-Kumasi Expressway project has received another major boost after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced that full funding for the project will be ready by the end of 2026.
The government says the project will be financed without borrowing, with US$1.7 billion already secured and deposited at the Bank of Ghana.
The 176-kilometre, six-lane expressway is expected to dramatically improve transportation between Ghana’s two largest economic centres and reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi to approximately two hours.
Government says project will not require borrowing
Dr Ato Forson said the full funding arrangement for the project will be ready before the end of the year.
He described the financing arrangement as potentially historic because Ghana could have the full funds for a project of this scale secured before construction begins.
Accra-Kumasi Expressway: $1.7bn Funding Ready [VIDEO]
The Finance Minister stressed that not a single pesewa will be borrowed for the project.
The US$1.7 billion already secured has been ring-fenced in a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana and is expected to be used after the main construction contract is awarded.
A six-lane highway across Ghana
The planned expressway will stretch approximately 176 kilometres between Accra and Kumasi.
It is expected to include modern interchanges, bridges, intelligent transportation systems, electronic tolling facilities, emergency response infrastructure and rest areas.
According to the government, the project could reduce the journey between Accra and Kumasi to around two hours.
Why the expressway matters
The Accra-Kumasi corridor is one of Ghana’s most important transportation routes.
Thousands of passengers, commercial vehicles and freight operators use the route to move people and goods between southern Ghana and the middle belt.
A modern expressway could therefore have a major impact on transportation costs, logistics, road safety and travel times.
The government also expects the project to support economic activity and strengthen connections between major commercial centres.
Construction preparations underway
Preparatory work has already been progressing.
The Ghana Armed Forces has reportedly cleared about 122 kilometres of the right-of-way, representing approximately 70 percent of the corridor that requires clearing.
Feasibility studies, environmental assessments and engineering designs have also been progressing, with procurement for the main construction contract scheduled to begin.
What happens next?
The next major stage is the procurement and award of the main construction contract.
Once the necessary requirements are completed, the government expects construction preparations to move toward the official commencement of the project.
For millions of Ghanaians who travel between Accra and Kumasi, the project could eventually transform one of the country’s most important road corridors.
Accra-Kumasi Expressway: $1.7bn Funding Ready – Key details at a glance
- Project: Accra-Kumasi Expressway
- Length: 176 kilometres
- Design: Six-lane bidirectional expressway
- Funding: US$1.7 billion already secured
- Funding location: Bank of Ghana
- Additional borrowing: Government says none
- Expected travel time: About two hours
- Target: Full funding ready by end of 2026
- Project programme: Big Push Infrastructure Programme
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has Ghana secured for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway?
The government says US$1.7 billion has already been secured and deposited in a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana.
Will Ghana borrow money to build the expressway?
Finance Minister Ato Forson says the project will not require borrowing and that the full funding will be secured by the end of 2026.
How long will the Accra-Kumasi Expressway be?
The planned expressway will cover approximately 176 kilometres and will be a six-lane bidirectional road.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is shaping up to be one of Ghana’s most significant infrastructure projects, with the government promising secured financing and a modern highway designed to transform travel between Accra and Kumasi.
