Mid-year Budget Review: Accra-Kumasi Expressway fund hits US$1.7bn – Ato Forson

The government has secured US$1.7 billion for the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review to Parliament on Thursday, Dr. Forson said the funds have been deposited into a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana to support what he described as the flagship project under the government’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme.

The 176-kilometre, six-lane dual carriageway is expected to link Ghana’s two largest commercial cities, significantly reducing travel time, easing congestion and improving road safety. The Finance Minister said the project will also feature modern interchanges, bridges, intelligent transport systems, electronic tolling, emergency response facilities and rest areas.

“The Accra-Kumasi Expressway remains the flagship project under the Big Push Programme. It involves the construction of a 176-kilometre, six-lane, bidirectional expressway linking Ghana’s two largest commercial cities,” Dr. Forson told Parliament.

He said government has made substantial progress in preparing for the commencement of construction, with right-of-way clearance and technical studies advancing simultaneously.

“As of 22nd July 2026, the Ghana Armed Forces had cleared 122 kilometres, representing about 70 percent of the 120 metre-wide Right-of-Way, in just 12 weeks. The entire corridor is expected to be cleared by the first week of September 2026,” he stated.

Dr. Forson added that feasibility studies, engineering designs, environmental assessments and compensation evaluations are progressing on schedule ahead of procurement for the main construction contract.

He announced that the government has already secured the financing required for the project.

“As of 22nd July 2026, US$1.7 billion had been deposited into the dedicated Accra-Kumasi Expressway Account at the Bank of Ghana. The funds have been ring-fenced and will be used only after the main construction contract is awarded,” he said.

The Finance Minister expressed confidence that all outstanding requirements for the project would be completed before construction begins.

“Government is therefore confident that all the requirements for this transformational project will be in place when His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama cuts the sod for construction to begin,” he said.

When completed, the expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi to about two hours while boosting trade, improving connectivity and supporting economic growth along one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors.