Accra–Kumasi Expressway to Complement Existing Highway, Not Replace It – Roads Minister
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has clarified that the planned Accra–Kumasi Expressway is intended to complement, not replace, the existing highway linking the two cities. His assurance came as Parliament approved the concession agreement for the construction of the new road.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Mr Agbodza explained that the project complies with regional and continental transport guidelines, which permit tolling on expressways as long as motorists are provided with a free alternative route.
He noted that under ECOWAS and African Union protocols, governments are allowed to recover construction costs through tolls on expressways, but cannot eliminate access to untolled roads.
As such, the current Accra–Kumasi highway will remain in use, giving drivers the option to either use the existing road or opt for the expressway based on factors such as travel time and convenience.
The minister described the Accra–Kumasi corridor as Ghana’s most vital road link, emphasizing its importance to commerce, mobility, and national development. He said the expressway represents a strategic, long-term investment aimed at modernising the country’s transport infrastructure.
The proposed six-lane dual carriageway is expected to cut travel time significantly, improve road safety, and boost the efficiency of movement between Ghana’s two largest cities. According to Mr Agbodza, the project is one that Ghanaians will look back on with pride in the years ahead.
