Construction works on Section One of the Accra-Tema Motorway and Extensions Project have reached 53 per cent completion. The US$339 million project aims to ease traffic congestion, improve urban mobility, and strengthen trade connectivity along one of Ghana's busiest transport corridors. The project is being implemented with the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highway Authority as public-sector partners.
The Chief Executive Officer of Accra-Tema Expressway Limited (ATEL), Louis Harrison, stated that the project was designed to restore the motorway to a standard befitting its importance to the country's economy. The motorway, which opened in 1965, now carries approximately 60,000 vehicles daily, far exceeding the traffic volumes anticipated when it was constructed. It serves commuters, businesses, and freight transport linking Accra to Tema, Ghana's principal industrial city and port.
The project is being implemented under a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) toll-road concession, under which ATEL will finance, rebuild, expand, operate, and maintain the motorway and its extensions in partnership with the government. The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) is sponsoring the project, demonstrating how institutional and private-sector capital can support major infrastructure development without placing the entire financing burden on the state.
The overall financing requirement for the project is approximately US$380 million, with the final financing structure partly dependent on the toll level to be approved. The concession agreement has received parliamentary approval, but the specific toll amount is yet to be determined and will be submitted to Parliament for consideration. ATEL is exploring local-currency financing with domestic banks to reduce exposure to foreign-exchange risks.
The Chief Resident Engineer of ATEL Project Engineer, Kwabena Bempong, stated that the project had achieved approximately 53 per cent completion after 805 days, although progress is slightly behind schedule. He expressed confidence that the contractor, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, will accelerate construction to meet the August 2027 completion date. The project commenced in August 2024 and covers approximately 27.7 kilometres.
The project includes improvements to interchanges at Tetteh Quarshie, Teshie, Community 18, and Lashibi, alongside pedestrian crossing facilities. The improvements will enhance access between communities on either side of the motorway and reduce unsafe pedestrian crossings and turning movements. The project also includes 20 box culverts and three bridges, with construction progressing at various stages.
The launch of a project website will provide updates on construction progress, traffic diversions, milestones, and safety notices. The website will promote transparency, build public trust, and provide updates on the progress of the road construction project. This initiative aligns with President John Dramani Mahama's vision of improving road infrastructure across the country.
Key points
- The Accra-Tema Motorway expansion project is 53 per cent complete.
- The project aims to ease traffic congestion and improve urban mobility.
- The project is being implemented under a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) toll-road concession.
