The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has disclosed that the government has deposited US$1.7 billion into a dedicated account for the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, saying that preparations are advancing for the start of the flagship infrastructure project.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Dr Forson said the funds had been ring-fenced at the Bank of Ghana and would only be accessed after the main construction contract had been awarded.
“As of 22nd July 2026, US$1.7 billion had been deposited into the dedicated Accra-Kumasi Expressway Account at the Bank of Ghana. The funds have been ring-fenced and will be used only after the main construction contract is awarded,” he told Parliament.
The Finance Minister said the project, which forms part of government’s Big Push Programme, was expected to transform road connectivity between Ghana’s two largest commercial cities.
The 176-kilometre six-lane, bidirectional expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi to about two hours, improve road safety, ease congestion and lower transport costs.
The project will also include modern interchanges, bridges, intelligent transport systems, electronic tolling, emergency response facilities and rest areas, Dr Forson said.
He said government had made significant progress in preparing the project for construction, with the Ghana Armed Forces clearing 122 kilometres of the 120-metre-wide Right-of-Way as of July 22, 2026.
The clearance represents about 70 percent of the required corridor, with the entire route expected to be cleared by the first week of September 2026.
Dr Forson said compensation assessments, environmental studies, engineering designs and feasibility works were progressing simultaneously, with feasibility studies and detailed engineering expected to be completed by the end of August.
“Procurement for the main construction contract” is expected to commence in September 2026, he said.
The Finance Minister said the government was confident that all requirements would be completed ahead of President John Dramani Mahama cutting the sod for construction to begin.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is a major component of Ghana’s infrastructure expansion agenda and is expected to improve trade links, reduce travel delays and strengthen economic activity along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors.
