The government has deposited US$1.7 billion into a dedicated account to finance the construction of the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Dr Forson said the funds have been ring-fenced at the Bank of Ghana and will only be accessed after the main construction contract has 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 described the expressway as one of the flagship projects under the government’s Big Push Programme, expected to significantly improve travel between Ghana’s two largest commercial cities.
He said the 176-kilometre, six-lane dual carriageway will reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi to about two hours, while improving road safety, easing congestion and reducing transportation costs.
The project will include modern interchanges, bridges, intelligent transport systems, electronic toll collection facilities, emergency response services and designated rest stops.
Dr Forson noted that preparatory works for the project are progressing steadily.
He disclosed that as of July 22, 2026, the Ghana Armed Forces had cleared 122 kilometres of the required 120-metre-wide Right-of-Way, representing about 70 per cent of the total corridor.
He expressed confidence that the remaining section would be cleared by the first week of September 2026.
The Minister added that compensation assessments, environmental impact studies, engineering designs and feasibility studies are being undertaken concurrently, with feasibility and detailed engineering works expected to be completed by the end of August.
Procurement for the main construction contract is expected to begin in September 2026, he said.
Dr Forson added that government is optimistic that all preparatory processes will be completed on schedule to pave the way for President John Dramani Mahama to perform the sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of construction.
When completed, the Accra-Kumasi Expressway is expected to boost trade and economic activity, improve connectivity between the southern and middle belts of the country, and ease movement along one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors.