Kumasi Inner Ring Road to Be Upgraded Under Ghana–Japan Agreement
Ghana and Japan have strengthened their long-standing partnership with a new agreement that is expected to bring major improvements to roads in Kumasi and health facilities in the Northern Region. The two governments signed an exchange of notes in Accra on Thursday, marking a commitment to projects that will ease transport challenges and expand access to healthcare for many communities.
The agreement includes a grant of three billion Japanese yen from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to upgrade a critical stretch of Kumasi’s Inner Ring Road. The project will cover about 3.2 kilometres between the Santasi and Ahodwo roundabouts, a section that has long been plagued by congestion and poor drainage. The works will involve road widening, new pedestrian walkways, modern traffic lights, and improved drainage systems.
For the people of Kumasi, the project promises to reduce travel times, improve safety, and ease the daily frustrations of traffic delays. Traders, commuters, and students alike are expected to benefit from smoother movement across the city. Travel speeds along the upgraded stretch are projected to more than triple once work is completed, significantly cutting down the hours spent in gridlock.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who signed the agreement on behalf of the government, described the project as part of Ghana’s broader infrastructure agenda. He noted that the Inner Ring Road upgrade will complement other ongoing works in the Ashanti Region, including the Suame Interchange, the Konongo Bypass, and the planned outer ring road around Kumasi.
In addition to the road project, the agreement also includes support for healthcare improvements in the Northern Region. Although details of the health projects have not yet been fully outlined, officials indicated that the focus will be on strengthening facilities and improving access to services in areas where residents often struggle to reach clinics or hospitals. Many communities in the North face long journeys for treatment, and even when they arrive, they are often met with inadequate equipment and limited staff.
The planned intervention is therefore expected to provide relief to families and communities who have endured the risks and uncertainties of limited healthcare. It is anticipated that mothers in need of maternity services, patients requiring emergency attention, and people managing chronic conditions will benefit most directly from the improvements.
For residents, the significance of the agreement goes beyond figures and technical details. In Kumasi, traders see it as a chance to move goods to market faster. Students look forward to reduced travel stress, and families hope for safer streets and less disruption during the rainy season. In the Northern Region, the prospect of upgraded health facilities represents hope for timely treatment and stronger trust in public healthcare.
While optimism is high, questions remain about timelines, contractor performance, and whether the benefits will reach the most vulnerable communities. Authorities will need to ensure that construction causes minimal disruption, compensation is handled fairly where necessary, and that the health projects are targeted where they are most needed.
Despite these concerns, the agreement has been widely welcomed as a step that combines Ghana’s development priorities with Japan’s tradition of support. For many Ghanaians, the exchange of notes represents more than diplomatic cooperation; it signals tangible improvements in daily life.
When completed, the projects will stand as evidence of international partnership translating into practical benefits: smoother roads in Kumasi, safer intersections, reliable drainage during heavy rains, and healthcare that feels closer to home for communities in the North.
If these commitments are fulfilled, the agreement will be remembered not only as a diplomatic milestone but as a turning point that eased burdens, saved time, and, in some cases, saved lives.
