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For more than four decades, the Accra-Kumasi corridor has functioned as one of Ghana’s most vital transportation arteries. It facilitates the movement of passengers, commercial vehicles, and freight between the nation’s two largest metropolitan centers. The existing roadway experiences significant congestion and operational delays. Therefore, the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway is a critical infrastructure initiative. It is designed to enhance mobility, facilitate commerce, and strengthen road safety standards.
A significant milestone was achieved on Monday, September 14, 2026, when the Ghana Armed Forces officially transferred 175.6 kilometres of prepared right-of-way to the government.
The preparation work, executed by the 48 Engineers Regiment, was accomplished within 19 weeks. This surpassed the government’s original 20-week timeline by one week. The prepared corridor extends from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway will encompass approximately 198.7 kilometres. It will extend from Ablekuma to Sewua and traverse the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti regions.
Approximately 176 kilometres will constitute newly developed expressway infrastructure. In addition, roughly 23 kilometres will comprise enhanced connector roads serving the Accra and Kumasi terminals.
The proposed route is projected to decrease the existing travel distance separating Accra and Kumasi by exceeding 50 kilometres. This reduces the journey from approximately 250 kilometres to 198.7 kilometres.
The expressway is being constructed as Ghana’s inaugural contemporary six-lane, bi-directional Class A expressway.
Pursuant to Engineer Francisco, Managing Director of Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, the primary corridor will incorporate a three-lane dual carriageway constructed upon a 36-metre standard roadbed. Furthermore, it will feature a design velocity of 120 kilometres per hour.
The connector roads at both terminals will be developed in accordance with Class B specifications. This will establish a speed restriction of 60 kilometres per hour.
The structural design aims to segregate high-velocity, extended-distance traffic from the reduced-speed traffic characteristic of metropolitan environments.
The expressway will incorporate eight grade-separated interchanges engineered to enhance accessibility while maintaining the flow of through-traffic.
These interchanges will provide connections to Accra, Adeiso, Asamankese, Akyem Oda, Ofoase, Lake Bosomtwe and Kumasi.
The undertaking will encompass 55 mainline bridges, 11 vehicle overpasses and approximately 200 reinforced concrete box culverts. Additionally, nine at-grade intersections are planned, predominantly along the lower-speed connector sections.
The infrastructure will enable the new roadway to traverse rivers, streams and varied terrain. Additionally, it will facilitate controlled access along the mainline.
Safety and emergency response protocols have been integrated into the project’s design framework.
The expressway will be equipped with a fire service and ambulance station, as well as three maintenance depots. It will also include road safety systems and electromechanical installations to facilitate an intelligent transport system.
Four comprehensive service areas will be established along the corridor, offering motorists facilities for rest, dining and vehicle servicing.
The project is anticipated to incorporate eight tolling locations, alongside an operations centre. Moreover, there will be two monitoring centres to facilitate traffic management and incident response.
Engineer Francisco stated: “Upon completion, this thoroughfare will deliver safer and more dependable transport whilst alleviating congestion on the N6.”
A principal aim of the expressway is to diminish travel duration and expenditure between Accra and Kumasi.
Projections indicate the project will reduce journey time by approximately 50% and lower transport costs by roughly 40%. The optimized route alignment is also projected to facilitate improved commodity movement. This benefit will be seen between Accra, the Tema port region, and commercial centres in the Ashanti Region and surrounding areas.
Beyond transportation considerations, the government anticipates the project will stimulate logistics, industrial development and service sector expansion along the corridor. The 2026 Budget projections further indicate that the expressway could generate in excess of 30,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. These jobs will be created throughout the construction phase.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway was designated in the 2026 Budget as a cornerstone initiative within the government’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme. The budget characterized it as Ghana’s inaugural contemporary six-lane bidirectional Class A expressway and delineated its 198.7-kilometre route.
The most recent right-of-way transfer constitutes a pivotal advancement toward the commencement of physical construction. President John Dramani Mahama has further disclosed that an initial $2 billion allocation has been secured for the project’s initiation.
Following the clearance of the right-of-way, focus will transition to the subsequent construction phase. This phase includes the implementation of the principal interchanges, bridges, service facilities, toll collection infrastructure, and safety mechanisms scheduled for the corridor.
Upon successful completion in accordance with specifications, the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will establish a new high-capacity transportation link connecting Ghana’s two principal metropolitan areas. It will reduce the distance separating them, and facilitate an expedited and regulated passage for travelers, commercial enterprises, and cargo transport.