The Accra Kumasi Expressway project has moved closer to the Kumasi end of the corridor, with Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza disclosing that less than 20 kilometres of right of way clearing remains before the route reaches the Kumasi area.
Mr Agbodza said approximately 10 to 15 kilometres of the outstanding section remains before the expressway connects with the Kumasi Orbiter, also known as the Kumasi Ring Road, bringing the clearing exercise significantly closer to completion.
“We have less than 20 kilometres. I’m sure we have maybe around 10, 15 kilometres to hit Kumasi itself,” the Minister said during a working visit to the Ashanti Region.
The proposed expressway is a major infrastructure initiative intended to establish a more efficient connection between Accra and Kumasi, Ghana’s two largest commercial centres, while reducing travelling difficulties and improving the movement of people and goods along the corridor.
The project forms part of the government’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme and is expected to strengthen economic activity by improving connectivity between communities and commercial centres along the route. The 2026 Budget describes the planned road as a modern six lane, bidirectional expressway designed to reduce the existing travel distance between Accra and Kumasi and significantly shorten journey times.
The latest progress follows a substantial clearing exercise undertaken along the proposed alignment. Earlier government figures indicated that the Ghana Armed Forces had cleared about 122 kilometres of the required right of way by July, representing approximately 70 percent of the corridor at the time.
Mr Agbodza said the remaining clearing work is concentrated close to the point where the expressway is expected to connect with the Kumasi Orbiter, bringing the project closer to the Ashanti Regional capital.
The Minister also acknowledged the contribution of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to discussions surrounding road infrastructure within the Kumasi enclave.
According to Mr Agbodza, the Asantehene had previously advocated the completion of important roads in the area as part of efforts to improve access to the Sewua Hospital, which is expected to serve as a major regional health facility for Kumasi and surrounding communities.
Mr Agbodza also disclosed that Kofi Job, the contractor involved in the relevant road works, had returned to site and was making considerable progress.
“Since then, the contractor, Kofi Job, has returned to site and is doing very well,” he said.
The Minister explained that the contractor was approaching completion on one section of the work before moving to the opposite side of the road.
“As we are told, he’s almost done with one leg of the work, and then the one that is to the right hand side is where he’ll be working on. But we can assure you that he’s going to go ahead and complete the work,” he stated.
The government has already made financial arrangements for the broader expressway project. In July, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed that US$1.7 billion had been deposited into a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana to finance the project, with the funds ring fenced for use after the main construction contract is awarded.
The government has said the expressway is expected to play an important role in reducing transport costs, improving road safety and facilitating the movement of goods between Ghana’s major economic centres. The project is also expected to support commercial activity and create employment opportunities during its construction.
Mr Agbodza expressed appreciation to the Ghana Armed Forces for their assistance with the right of way clearing exercise, which has been central to preparing the corridor for subsequent stages of development.
The Minister further reiterated the government’s appreciation for the Asantehene’s continued engagement and support for road development initiatives within the Ashanti Region.
With less than 20 kilometres remaining to be cleared and approximately 10 to 15 kilometres left before the route reaches the Kumasi area, attention is now turning towards completing the outstanding preparatory work and advancing the project towards its next construction phase.
The latest development represents another step in the government’s efforts to establish a direct and modern transport link between Accra and Kumasi, with the authorities maintaining that the expressway will ultimately improve mobility and contribute to economic growth along one of Ghana’s most important commercial corridors.
