Initial Works on Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project Begin Next Week

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has been updated on the plans to commence the initial works to pave the way for the commencement of the proposed 198.7km Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project by the government.

A joint delegation from the Ministry for Roads and Highways and the Ministry for Defence paid a courtesy visit on His Majesty on April 10, 2026, to provide a comprehensive briefing on the project at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The delegation included the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza; the Deputy Minister for Defence, Brogya Genfi; the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong; the Director of Engineering Service of the Ghana Armed Fores (GAF), Col Jonas Wiafe; Deputy Minister for Roads, Alhassan Suhuyini and; the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene.

The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is a flagship project under the government’s Big Bush Infrastructure Programme and aims to
improve connectivity between Accra and Kumasi and reduce travel time along the corridor.

Project
In his submission, the Minister for Roads, Governs Kwame Agbodza, noted that the idea of an expressway is to provide an alternative drive route for commuters in the form of a free way and reduce travel period to two hours.

This route, he noted will not pass through communities.

“This is to give a free way where if you don’t have anything to do along the way you should be able to get to Kumasi in about two hours. We chose the alignment to also avoid communities and to make sure that we can do this within a record of time. So the idea is to build six lanes of an expressway, three lanes in, three lanes out and also to give some exit when we get to the communities that are far and very near.”

Ongoing Dualisation Project
He assured Otumfuo that the proposed project would not affect the ongoing dualisation project.

According to him, budgetary allocation have been planned to keep the work in progres.

Compensation
The Roads Minister added that the government intends to compensate farmers who will be affected by the proposed projects.

“Of course the land doesn’t currently belong to the government of Ghana but by the laws of our country we are in the process of getting an executive instrument to acquire it the right way and then also pay all the appropriate compensations to anybody who will be affected whether it’s a farm, whether it’s bare land or not.”

Suame Interchange
Touching on the stalled Suame Interchange project, Governs announced to the King that the government had paid $25 million to clear debt owed to the contractor.

This, he said, paves the way for him to return to the site to continue the project which has been incorporated into the flagship Big Push project.

“As we speak, all debt owed to the contractor in excess of $25 million has been paid to the contractor. We expect the contractor to be fully mobilised on site to be able to complete in 2027.”

He further explained the motivation behind the reduction of the project from a four tier Interchange to a three tier, saying an intended bypass construction would make a four tier unnecessary.

“Currently everyone coming to Kumasi or going beyond Kumasi need to drive through Suame Interchange, that is the Suame Roundabout. That was why the design was made four tiers. Currently one of major projects we want to do is a bypass or a loop around Kumasi. Every major city in the word has a ring road or what we call an orbiter around Kumasi which is over 100km.

“The idea is to give opportunity that if you don’t have anything to do at the centre of Kumasi, you can hit the orbiter and go round it and enter your destination. As a result, we are doing a bypass from Ejisu. The contractor is working and it’s about 47km. The expectation is that when completed, those going beyond Kumasi will not need to come and crowd at Suame Interchange.”

According to him, all savings made on the reduction will be invested into the Mampong road which is not yet under contract.

“It’s a very critical road. Whatever we have allocated for that project will be spent here. We are spending another three billion on the orbiter. Our engineers are working on the design of the bypass.”

Military Role
For his part, the Director of Engineering Services of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Col Jonas Wiafe, informed Otumfuo about the key role the military will be playing in the initial phase which deals with clearing the right of way within the designated corridor of the expressway.

This work is expected to commence next week and covers a total of 80km of greenfield within the Ashanti Region.

“We will begin clearing the route in Ashanti Region next week in accordance with our schedule. We have earmarked a space at Gyadamuwa and Banka to set up our camp. We have about 80km of greenfields to clear up to Kwaso. However, the road project itself will end at Sewua.”

In total, the entire earmarked greenfield covers 175 km stretch from Ablekuma in Greater Accra through to Kwaso, Eastern Region.

Col Wiafe also informed Otumfuo that his team will be working alongside Valuers and Physical Planning officers to document affected farmers for the necessary compensation.

The military will hand over to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to continue the project after the clearance is completed.

Asantehene’s Intervention
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister for Defence, Brogya Genfi, pleaded for the intervention of the Asantehene to crave the indulgence and cooperation of chiefs within the affected towns.

“The entire project is 198.7 km and 80 km of that fall within the Ashanti Region. The nature of that space is quite critical. It covers the farms of people and illegal mining dens.

“We are here for the blessings, counsel and prayer of Otumfuo. We also want His Majesty’s intervention to engage chiefs within the affected area for their cooperation.”

He stated that the clearance is a critical preparatory phase of the project, aimed at improving the project’s feasibility and supporting both initial and detailed engineering.

Work Within Timeline
Otumfuo welcomed the mission as a positive news, particularly about plans to complete the existing dual Accra-Kumasi road as well as the proposed expressway.

“All these projects are geared towards national development,” Otumfuo said.

However, His Majesty demanded that the schedule for completion of proposed project be strictly followed for timely completion.

“Expedite works to complete it on time. If the clearance is completed on time, the main work could start in June for completion on time. You intended to complete it in 2027 but I extend it to 2028 for you. I want it completed and commissioned so that I will drive through it.”

His Majesty called for commitment from both the government and the contractor.

“I would have asked about funding if the Finance Minister were here. Is there an available fund for this? The engineers and Ministers must exhibit dedication to the project. Find the right contractor to do a sustainable project for us.”

Meanwhile Otumfuo affirmed his support in whatever way needed.

“I will have chiefs called so I speak to them.”

Sewua Road
Otumfuo further touched on the Sewua Hospital road which has delayed the operationalisation of the health facility following its completion.

He urged the Minister to grant the needed attention as soon as possible.

“Sewua hospital will reduce congestion at Komfo Anokye if operationlised. Do well to work on the road for us.”