The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Agbodza, has assured Parliament that the proposed Accra–Kumasi Expressway will serve as an alternative route rather than replace the existing highway, following the House’s approval of the concession agreement for the project.
Addressing lawmakers during deliberations, the minister explained that the construction of the expressway aligns with regional and continental transport protocols, which permit tolling on expressways as long as motorists are provided with a free alternative route.
“The ECOWAS and AU protocols say that when you build an expressway, you are allowed to charge a certain level of toll to recover the cost, but you must have an alternative. If somebody wants to go to Kumasi in six hours, they should also have that option,” Mr Agbodza stated.
He stressed that the current Accra–Kumasi highway will remain operational, giving road users the choice between the existing road and the new tolled expressway, depending on their travel needs and preferences.
The Roads Minister also underscored the strategic importance of the corridor, describing it as the most critical road link in the country.
“There’s no road in Ghana that is more important than the road between Accra and Kumasi,” he said, adding that the project represents a long-term investment in national development.
According to him, the expressway, which will be developed as a six-lane dual carriageway, is expected to significantly improve road safety, reduce travel time and enhance overall transport efficiency between the two major cities.
“Indeed, we are doing something that we’ll be proud of maybe in five years,” he added.
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