Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, a flagship project under the government’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme, will commence in 2026.
Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement in Parliament on Thursday, Dr Ato Forson described the expressway as Ghana’s first modern six-lane bi-directional Class A Expressway, designed to serve as the country’s economic spine.
The 198.7-kilometre highway will connect the national capital, Accra, to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, passing through the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions. Built on a new alignment, the project will reduce the current travel distance by over 50 kilometres, from 250 kilometres to 198.7 kilometres.
“The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is expected to halve travel time between Accra and Kumasi, reduce transport costs by nearly 40 percent, and create over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction,” Dr Ato Forson told Parliament.
Beyond improving mobility, the expressway is projected to stimulate the development of industrial parks, logistics hubs, and service economies along its corridor, supporting the government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda and enhancing Ghana’s regional competitiveness.
The project will feature eight major interchanges to ease urban congestion and boost connectivity. These will be located at Accra Hub, Adeiso, Asamankese, Akyem Oda, Ofoase, Lake Bosomtwe, and Kumasi.
Three major bridges will span the Birim and Pra Rivers, while four full-service areas will be established at Asamankese, Ayirebi, Ofoase, and Lake Bosomtwe. These service areas will include fuel stations, rest stops, restaurants, vehicle repair centres, and emergency medical facilities to enable round-the-clock operations.
Revenue collection will be managed through two modern 20-lane toll plazas – the Accra Main-line Toll Plaza and the Kumasi Mainline Toll Plaza – equipped with automated systems to ensure efficiency and minimal delays.
Dr Ato Forson emphasised that the expressway represents a transformative investment in Ghana’s infrastructure, linking the south to the north and unlocking economic opportunities across multiple regions.
The project he underscored is part of the broader Big Push Infrastructure Programme aimed at modernising the country’s transport network and driving sustainable growth.