The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has warned contractors and stakeholders working on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway that quality, value for money and timely delivery of the project will not be compromised.
Speaking on Monday, September 14, at a ceremony marking the formal handover of 175.6 kilometres of cleared right-of-way by the Ghana Armed Forces, Mr Agbodza said the entire 198.7-kilometre expressway must be constructed to international standards and managed as a long-term national asset.
The Ghana Armed Forces completed the right-of-way clearing exercise in 19 weeks, one week ahead of the original 20-week schedule.
Mr Agbodza said the high-capacity expressway forms a critical part of the government’s strategy to ease growing pressure on Ghana’s main trade corridor.
“For decades, Accra-Kumasi corridor has carried the disproportionate share of the national traffic. Growth in population, freight and commercial activity has placed increasing pressure on the existing N6,” he stated.
He said addressing the congestion along the corridor requires more than continuous repairs and incremental expansion of the existing N6.
According to him, the project is intended to create a modern transport network that separates high-speed through traffic from local traffic while providing businesses with a more reliable and predictable logistics environment.
Mr Agbodza said the procurement process is being undertaken through international competitive pre-qualification to attract technically competent and financially strong firms with experience in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.
“The process must be competitive, transparent and rigorous. Ghana must obtain quality, value for money and timely delivery. These principles are non-negotiable,” he stressed.
He added that the project would also require meaningful local participation, including skills and technology transfer to Ghanaian engineers, suppliers and artisans.
The expressway is also expected to connect seamlessly with other major road projects, including the emerging Kumasi Outer Ring Road.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured the nation that the full funding required for the construction of the expressway will be secured by December 2026 without adding to Ghana’s public debt.
“This handover clears the way for an expressway that will cut travel time and transport cost, improve road safety and set a new standard for our infrastructure delivery,” Dr Ato Forson said.
“As your Minister for Finance, I want to use this opportunity to assure the nation that the entire amount needed for the construction of this expressway will be ready by December 2026. For the avoidance of doubt, we will not borrow a Pesewa for this construction.”
Dr Ato Forson said the government would mobilise the required funds internally to ensure that the project does not face financial bottlenecks once construction begins.
By:Rachael Djabakie