The Ghanaian government has allocated $1.7 billion for the construction of a new 199-kilometre six-lane Accra-Kumasi Expressway. The project aims to complement the existing highway and reduce the high number of road crashes and fatalities on the corridor. According to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), road crashes killed 2,673 people between January and November 2025, representing an 18.5% increase from the previous year.
The existing Accra-Kumasi Highway has been plagued by numerous fatal accidents, including a Suhum crash in April caused by wrongful overtaking, a fuel tanker fireball near Nsawam in February, and a truck-minibus collision near Paradise Restaurant in August. The NRSA attributes the high number of crashes to speeding, drink-driving, unlicensed driving, and unregistered vehicles. The authority has also pointed out that the highway's design, with market stalls, fuel stations, and unauthorized junctions, has contributed to the high number of fatalities.
To prevent similar tragedies on the new expressway, experts recommend that the design should incorporate full access control, a continuous physical median barrier, paved shoulders, rumble strips, and reflective delineators. The expressway should also have dedicated service roads, truck lay-bys, weigh stations, and rest areas at regular intervals. Additionally, street lighting and CCTV-linked speed enforcement should be installed at high-risk nodes, backed by emergency response bays.
Another crucial aspect of the project is land governance. Unless the government acts now, hawkers, fuel stations, and unplanned housing may encroach on the new expressway's edges, repeating the mistakes of the past. To prevent this, a legally protected right-of-way buffer of 50 meters on each side must be gazetted and fenced. The Ghana Highway Authority, Lands Commission, and district assemblies along the corridor must also sign a binding joint enforcement protocol to monitor and flag encroachment.
The government must also proactively plan and build authorized commercial nodes, fuel stations, markets, and lorry parks at interchange points, providing traders and transport operators with a legitimate and safe place to do business. Furthermore, resettlement and compensation for communities displaced by the new alignment must be completed transparently and on schedule to avoid land disputes and unplanned re-occupation of road reserves.
Road safety experts emphasize that design alone will not deliver zero crashes. The Ministry of Roads and Highways should commission independent road safety audits at the design, pre-opening, and post-opening stages. The NRSA and Ghana Highway Authority should also install a real-time crash data and traffic monitoring system on the corridor, publishing quarterly figures to identify problems early.
The Road Lines Foundation has offered to support the Ministry with road safety reviews and public education as the project proceeds. With proper planning, design, and enforcement, the new Accra-Kumasi Expressway can significantly reduce road crashes and fatalities on the corridor, saving lives and improving the overall safety of road users.
Key points
- The new expressway will have a 50-meter legally protected right-of-way buffer on each side to prevent encroachment.
- The project will incorporate full access control, a continuous physical median barrier, and paved shoulders to enhance safety.
- Independent road safety audits will be conducted at various stages to ensure the expressway meets international safety standards.
