The preparatory works for the 198.7-kilometre Accra-Kumasi Expressway, including the clearing of its right of way and compensation of affected farmers, have been completed ahead of schedule, paving the way for the next stage of the major road project.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Engineers Regiment cleared 183.6 kilometres of the right of way, exceeding the original target of 175.6 kilometres by eight kilometres, as the government advances plans to construct the six-lane expressway linking Ghana’s two largest cities.
More than 800 farmers whose farms fall within the right of way are expected to receive compensation.
So far, 469 farmers have been paid amounts ranging from approximately GH¢1,500 to GH¢350,000, based on valuation data provided by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
The clearing exercise, which was originally scheduled to take 20 weeks, was completed in 19 weeks.
The assignment covered the 120-metre-wide roadway from Kilometer 13 in the Greater Accra Region to Kilometer 188 in the Ashanti Region.
The military engineers also cleared up to 150 metres at some major intersections and undertook additional works in swampy areas, river lines and lands degraded by illegal mining.
The team went beyond the original environmental reclamation target, treating, reclaiming and opening up 15 kilometres of degraded land, against an initial target of five kilometres.
Mahama commends engineers
President John Dramani Mahama, speaking at a ceremony at Kwaso near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region to hand over the report on the clearing exercise, commended the GAF Engineers Regiment for completing the assignment one week ahead of schedule.
He recalled that he announced in his State of the Nation Address in February that his administration would commence construction of an expressway between Accra and Kumasi.
On April 22, he said, he tasked the Ghana Armed Forces, working with the Ministries of Defence and Roads and Highways, to undertake the clearing and early works for the project.
“The task they were given was to complete this mission in 20 weeks. I’m pleased to announce to the whole country of Ghana that our Armed Forces have accomplished this mission one week ahead of schedule; they did it in 19 weeks,” he said.
President Mahama said the engineers had cleared the designated corridor from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region, traversing forests, rivers and streams.
He described the completion as “mission accomplished” and commended the Armed Forces, particularly the Engineer Corps, for their contribution to national development.
The President further announced that he had directed that the Engineers Regiment receive the Order of the Volta at the next National Honours, to be held as part of activities marking Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence.
198.7km six-lane highway
President Mahama said the clearing exercise was critical to the construction of the proposed 198.7-kilometre, six-lane Accra-Kumasi Expressway, which he said would significantly shorten the distance between the two cities.
He explained that the existing Accra-Kumasi Highway covers about 270 kilometres, meaning the new expressway would cut almost 70 kilometres from the travelling distance.
The expressway is expected to have a recommended speed of 120 kilometres per hour and significantly reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi to approximately two hours.
The President said the project was long overdue, given the population, commercial activity and economic importance of Accra and Kumasi.
He said the two cities were Ghana’s largest population and economic centres and deserved a modern high-capacity transport corridor comparable to those connecting major cities in other countries.
Funding secured by December
The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, assured the nation that the full financing required for construction of the expressway would be available by December 2026.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we will not borrow a pesewa for this construction,” he said.
The assurance comes as the government prepares to move from the preparatory and right-of-way phase into the substantive construction stage of the project.
Strict procurement rules
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said the government would apply stringent standards in selecting the companies to construct the expressway.
He said firms seeking to undertake the project must demonstrate strong financial and technical capacity, proven experience and the ability to deliver projects of comparable scale and complexity.
“The process must be competitive, transparent and rigorous. Ghana must obtain quality, value for money and timely delivery. These principles are non-negotiable,” Mr Agbodza said.
He said the procurement would involve international competitive pre-qualification to attract technically competent and financially sound firms.
The Minister said the government had established the Accra-Kumasi Expressway Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to provide the institutional framework for developing, financing, constructing, operating and maintaining the project.
He said the expressway would improve mobility between Accra and Kumasi, reduce travel and logistics costs, improve road safety and facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.
Mr Agbodza said the project would also support the government’s Big Push infrastructure agenda by connecting production centres to markets, supporting the 24-hour economy, creating jobs and improving productivity.
He added that government expected the project to create opportunities for Ghanaian engineers, contractors, consultants, suppliers, artisans and young professionals while promoting skills and technology transfer.
78 military engineers deployed
The Director of Engineering Services of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier Jonas Wiafe, said approximately 78 military engineers drawn from the 48, 49, 50 and 51 Engineer Regiments and the Engineer Training School were deployed for the operation.
They were supported by logistics, administrative and other personnel and worked in three shifts, including at night and during rainy conditions, to meet the deadline.
Brigadier Wiafe said the compensation process was still ongoing and assured affected farmers who had not yet received their payments that they would be reached.
He said no physical property was affected during the right-of-way clearing exercise, with the engineers concentrating mainly on vegetation and agricultural lands, including food crop farms, rubber plantations and oil palm plantations.
He said the GAF was contracted through the Ministry of Defence by the Ministry of Roads and Highways to undertake the pre-construction activities, which formed part of the critical preparatory phase supporting the feasibility studies and initial and detailed engineering designs.
Community appeals
The Kwasohene, Nana Osei Fosu Adutwum II, commended President Mahama for initiating the expressway project and appealed to Ghanaians to support the government’s development agenda.
He also appealed to the President to consider siting one of the 16 new Senior High Schools planned by the government in Kwaso, saying the community currently had no SHS.
The traditional leader further appealed for the establishment of a nursing training school in the traditional area, indicating that land was available for the proposed institution.
