The Daily Searchlight newspaper has alleged that Ghana's parliament approved $1.7 billion in funding for the Accra-Kumasi Highway project to a company without a certificate of incorporation. This claim was made in the first instalment of an investigative series published on September 22, 2026. The report appeared on the paper's front page, with further details on page 2.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced in parliament on July 23, 2026, that $1.7 billion had been set aside in a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway. This project is part of the government's "Big Push" infrastructure programme. The funds will only be utilised once the main construction contract is awarded, with procurement expected to begin in September 2026.
The 176-kilometre, six-lane expressway connecting Ghana's two largest cities is being developed through Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The Ministry of Roads and Highways is the contracting authority, and the concession agreement was approved by parliament in December 2025. The agreement includes a 50-year concession period before the project transfers to the Ghana Highways Authority.
However, there is conflicting information regarding the incorporation status of Accra-Kumasi Expressway Ltd. Graphic Online reported in December 2025 that the company was "a private limited liability company duly incorporated as a special purpose vehicle." This contradicts the Daily Searchlight's claim that the company lacked a certificate of incorporation. It is unclear if the reports refer to different entities or a change in status between December 2025 and the paper's investigation.
The Daily Searchlight's page 2 report, which would provide further details and evidence, was not available for verification. As this is a serious allegation involving a large public expenditure, readers should treat it as a claim under investigation rather than an established fact. The Daily Searchlight's investigation is ongoing, with part two and further verification pending.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway project has been the subject of previous claims and rebuttals. On July 17, 2026, the Controller and Accountant General's Department (CAGD) publicly rebutted a viral claim about the project's finances, stating that GH¢11 billion had not been paid. Additionally, a fact-check by Dubawa Ghana on August 20, 2026, found that a claim about the NPP awarding the contract was misleading.
Key stakeholders, including the government and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), have not publicly commented on the Daily Searchlight's allegations. As the investigation continues, it is essential to verify the claims and ensure transparency in the utilisation of public funds for this significant infrastructure project.
Key points
- The Daily Searchlight alleges that parliament approved $1.7 billion for the Accra-Kumasi Highway project to a company without a certificate of incorporation.
- The government has secured $1.7 billion in funding for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project, part of its "Big Push" infrastructure programme.
- There are conflicting reports regarding the incorporation status of Accra-Kumasi Expressway Ltd, with Graphic Online describing it as "duly incorporated" in December 2025.
