Mahama Outlines Major Transport Infrastructure Plans in SONA

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that preparatory activities for the construction of the Accra–Kumasi Expressway are currently underway.

Speaking on the transport sector during his delivery of the State of the Nation Address, Mahama indicated that activities for the expressway , such as feasibility studies, cost assessments, and detailed designs are ongoing, with the Ministry of Roads and Highways serving as the contracting authority.

The project, when completed, will be a 198.7km six-lane high-speed motorway featuring eight interchanges. It primarily aims at reducing travel time between Accra and Kumasi by approximately two and a half hours.

He described the project as Ghana’s first purpose-built expressway with limited access points to enhance safety and efficiency.

“The Accra–Kumasi Expressway will be a 198.7-kilometre, six-lane, high-speed motorway. This expressway is designed to connect Ghana’s two largest cities, Accra and Kumasi, and to reduce the travelling time between Accra and Kumasi to approximately two and a half hours. This new alignment will have eight interchanges and will be Ghana’s first true expressway. Government has established the Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, which is a subsidiary of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, as the concessionaire that will be mandated to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the expressway. With the Ministry of Roads and Highways as the contracting authority, the project delivery is structured as a long-term concession of up to 50 years. Mr. Speaker, this expressway will be Ghana’s first purpose-built expressway with limited access points, so goats and sheep cannot cross at any point. Mr. Speaker, it is designed for higher speed limits and modern safety infrastructure to reduce travel time and improve road safety. Preparatory activities, including feasibility studies, detailed designs and cost assessments, are currently underway. This major road construction work aims to improve mobility, safety and trade, while connecting communities to markets and essential services.”

President Mahama also reiterated the government’s commitment to completing unfinished roads by announcing plans not only to complete all unfinished segments of the Eastern Corridor Road by the end of 2027, but also to continue and complete the 27.7km Accra–Tema Motorway and Extension Project, which is currently at 32 percent progress with construction ongoing.

The project includes reconstructing the motorway into a four-lane expressway with three-lane service roads in both directions, as well as constructing new interchanges at Ashaiman, Community 18, and the Teshie Link. The Tetteh Quarshie Interchange will also be remodelled.

“ Mr. Speaker, the Eastern Corridor, we aim to complete all unfinished segments of the Eastern Corridor Road by the end of 2027. Mr. Speaker, I will continue and complete the 27.7km Accra–Tema Motorway and Extension Project. This includes reconstructing the Accra–Tema Motorway into a four-lane expressway with three-lane service routes in both directions and interchanges at Ashaiman. Where you have the Ashaiman underbridge, it will now be an interchange. There will be another interchange at Community 18 and Teshie Link. Mr. Speaker, it also involves remodelling the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange. Construction works are ongoing and progress is at 32 percent.”

President Mahama also announced that the re-establishment of a National Airline is expected to take off soon.
He explained that the 10-member task force established to oversee the airline’s re-establishment has submitted a business model and operational framework that will be used in selecting a strategic partner for the project.

“ Mr. Speaker, in fulfilment of my pledge to re-establish a national airline, a 10-member task force established to oversee this initiative has submitted a business model and operational framework to guide the selection of a strategic partner for the new national airline. And this new national airline will take off soon, inshallah.”

The President reaffirmed government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s transport infrastructure, stressing that these projects are aimed at improving mobility, enhancing road safety, boosting trade, and accelerating national development.