Ghana’s Parliament has approved a concession agreement for the construction of the long-anticipated Accra–Kumasi Expressway, clearing a major legislative hurdle for one of the country’s most ambitious transport infrastructure projects. The 198.7-kilometre highway is scheduled to commence construction in 2026 and is expected to significantly transform mobility, trade, and regional connectivity between southern and middle Ghana.
The expressway corridor will run in a southeast-to-northwest direction, linking the national capital, Accra, to Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital. In doing so, it will traverse three key regions—Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti—while connecting several strategic towns and economic centres, including Adeiso, Asamankese, Akim Oda, Ofoase, and Kwaso. This alignment is designed to decongest existing arterial roads and provide a faster, safer, and more efficient alternative for long-distance travel.
In terms of design and capacity, the project is divided into two main components. The first consists of 23 kilometres of urban connecting sections within Accra and Kumasi. These urban stretches will be constructed to a four-lane standard, with a design speed of 60 kilometres per hour, to ensure smooth integration with existing city road networks. The second and larger component is a 175-kilometre main expressway built to a six-lane standard, engineered for speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour, positioning it as a true high-speed intercity corridor.
Beyond the carriageway itself, the project includes several critical supporting structures and facilities. Eight interchanges will be constructed at major nodes along the route—Accra Hub, Adeiso, Asamankese, Akyem Oda, Ofoase, Lake Bosomtwe, and Kumasi—providing seamless access and reducing traffic conflicts. Additionally, three major bridges will span the Birim and Pra Rivers, ensuring uninterrupted travel across key waterways.
To support efficient revenue collection and traffic management, the expressway will also feature two modern toll plazas, each with 20 lanes, strategically located in Accra and Kumasi. These facilities are expected to minimize congestion at toll points while supporting the project’s concession and maintenance framework.
Once completed, the Accra–Kumasi Expressway is projected to drastically reduce travel time between Ghana’s two most important cities, enhance road safety, and stimulate economic activity along the corridor. It is also expected to improve logistics for goods movement, boost tourism, and reinforce Ghana’s broader agenda of modernizing its transport infrastructure to support long-term national development.
With parliamentary approval secured, attention now turns to detailed planning, financing arrangements, and preparatory works ahead of the 2026 construction start, marking a significant step toward delivering a transformative national asset.
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