Ghana Armed Forces Hands Over Accra-Kumasi Expressway Right-of-Way to Government

The Ghana Armed Forces has handed over the cleared right-of-way for the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway to the Government, paving the way for the next phase of the 198.7-kilometre six-lane highway project.

The Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces completed the clearance of 175.6 kilometres of the route from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region in 19 weeks, one week ahead of the 20-week deadline set by Government.

President John Dramani Mahama, in his address at the handing over ceremony  at Kwaso on Monday commended the Armed Forces, particularly the Engineer Corps, for completing the assignment ahead of schedule.

He said the achievement marked an important stage in preparations for the construction of the expressway, which is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi.

The President said the new expressway would be 198.7 kilometres long, compared with the existing 270-kilometre Accra-Kumasi Highway, reducing the travelling distance by almost 70 kilometres.

He said motorists travelling at an average speed of 100 kilometres per hour could complete the journey in about two hours, compared with the current five to six hours required on the old highway.

He disclosed that Government had already advertised an Expression of Interest for the construction of the expressway, with interested companies given four weeks to submit their applications. This would be followed by prequalification and the selection of a contractor.

The President expressed the expectation that Government would return to Kwaso before Christmas to cut the sod for construction to begin.

He further announced that the Engineers Regiment would continue to participate in the project, directing the Minister for Roads and Highways to incorporate the Regiment as a major subcontractor to the main contractor.

The President said the successful completion of the Accra-Kumasi right-of-way had demonstrated the capacity of the Armed Forces to contribute to national infrastructure development.

He recalled the role played by the Ghana Armed Forces in opening up the Donkorkrom Road into the Afram Plains during the PNDC era, saying the latest assignment had further strengthened his confidence in the military’s engineering capabilities.

President Mahama also outlined Government’s broader plan to develop an integrated expressway network linking major economic centres across the country.

He said the long-term vision was to have an expressway running from Aflao in the east to Elubo in the west, while extending the network from Accra towards northern Ghana.

The Accra-Kumasi Expressway, he said, would connect the Greater Accra Orbital and the Ashanti Orbital, including the Kumasi Outer Ring Road currently being developed under the Big Push programme.

The President said the network would allow heavy trucks travelling from the south towards Burkina Faso and northern Ghana to bypass Kumasi and other congested urban areas.

He also announced that space had been reserved along the Accra-Kumasi Expressway corridor to accommodate a future railway line, while the Ministry of Finance prepares a financing plan to revitalise the country’s railway system.

The expressway is expected to have eight interchanges and four rest stops, with facilities for motorists to rest, eat and shop during their journeys.

President Mahama said each service stop would have tow trucks to quickly remove broken-down vehicles from the highway and reduce the risk of accidents.

CCTV cameras would also be installed along the expressway to monitor traffic and help identify motorists who drive dangerously.

The project is being developed under a Special Purpose Vehicle known as Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, registered under the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, which will be responsible for managing the road.

President Mahama expressed appreciation to chiefs, traditional authorities, farmers and residents along the route for their cooperation during the right-of-way clearance.

He acknowledged that some farmers had lost crops and land in the process but said their sacrifices would contribute to a project intended to serve the wider national interest.

He also commended the Ministers for Roads and Highways and Finance, the Minister for Defence, the military high command, the Chief of Defence Staff and Brigadier General Wiafe and his Engineer Corps for their contributions to the project.

President Mahama said the successful handover marked the completion of the preparatory clearance phase and expressed confidence that the project would move into construction before the end of the year.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD