Ghana: Accra-Kumasi Highway Project Set to Begin by End of 2026

The planned highway linking Ghana’s two main economic centres is more than a road upgrade. It is expected to improve the movement of goods, strengthen road safety, and connect major economic areas across the country.

President John Dramani Mahama announced on Monday, September 14, that construction is expected to begin before the end of 2026. The announcement came during an official handover ceremony after clearing work was completed along the 198.7-kilometre route.

The Ghanaian president said $2 billion had already been secured and deposited in accounts held by the Bank of Ghana. The funding represents another step toward a project that has been under consideration for several years.

The highway will connect Accra with Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city and a major business centre. The two cities are currently linked by a road with one lane in each direction. Authorities expect the new highway to reduce travel time to around two hours.

The project is one of the major initiatives under the government’s “Big Push” programme. It is designed to improve connectivity between the capital and the country’s main commercial areas.

Technically, the project will include eight interchanges and 11 vehicle overpasses. It will also feature 55 major bridges. The highway itself will cover 176 kilometres, with an additional 23 kilometres of connecting ramps.

The main section will follow Class A standards, with three lanes in each direction. The design speed will be 120 kilometres per hour. Connecting roads will follow Class B standards, with a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per hour.

In addition, the project will include intelligent transport systems and electronic toll collection. Emergency response facilities and rest areas will also be built along the route. These systems are intended to improve traffic management and road capacity.

However, several steps remain before construction can fully begin. The government still has to make a final decision on the companies that will carry out the work. It must also secure the remaining financing required for the project.

The $2 billion secured so far represents only part of the estimated total cost. The full project is expected to require nearly $4 billion.

The project’s progress will therefore depend on the government’s ability to complete the financing plan and maintain the planned timetable. The Accra-Kumasi connection remains a key infrastructure project for Ghana’s transport and economic network.

Joelle.