Ghana's Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has clarified that the contract for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway has not been awarded. According to him, the procurement process is currently at the pre-qualification stage. This stage involves assessing prospective contractors to determine their capacity to undertake the project. The Minister made these remarks during an inspection of the Accra-Kumasi bypass project on September 29, 2026.
Minister Agbodza described reports of the project being awarded as false and urged the public to disregard them. He expressed concern over how some individuals arrive at such conclusions, citing a publication that claimed the project had been awarded to a contractor. The Minister emphasized that the procurement process is ongoing and has not reached the stage of selecting a contractor.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway project aims to significantly reduce travel time and distance between Accra and Kumasi. Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce the distance by about 50 kilometres and cut journey time from six hours to two hours. Additionally, travel costs are anticipated to decrease by approximately 40%. The project aligns with the President's vision for Ghana's development.
Regarding financing, US$1.7 billion has been deposited into a dedicated Accra-Kumasi Expressway Account at the Bank of Ghana. This amount is ring-fenced for the project. President Mahama had earlier stated that an initial $2 billion is available for commencement, with the amount expected to reach $4 billion by the end of the year to fully finance the project.
The government published the Expression of Interest for pre-qualification of contractors on September 11, 2026. The contract award is expected before the end of the year. Minister Agbodza assured that the government remains focused on the project and will continue with the procurement process in line with required procedures.
The Minister's comments come as a response to public concerns and misinformation about the project's status. He urged the public to disregard unnecessary disruptions and assured that the government is committed to completing the project. The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is a significant infrastructure project aimed at boosting economic growth and development in Ghana.
The project is expected to have a positive impact on Ghana's transportation network and economy. With the procurement process ongoing, the government is working to ensure that the project is awarded to a capable contractor. The Minister's clarification aims to provide transparency and assurance to the public about the project's progress.
Key points
- The Accra-Kumasi Expressway contract has not been awarded, with the procurement process currently at the pre-qualification stage.
- The project aims to reduce travel time and distance between Accra and Kumasi, with expected completion to decrease journey time to two hours and travel costs by 40%.
- US$1.7 billion has been deposited into a dedicated account for the project, with an expected total of $4 billion to fully finance the project.
