Ghana Ring-Fences US$1.7bn for Flagship Accra–Kumasi Expressway

Dedicated funding clears a major financing hurdle as government prepares to launch one of the country’s largest transport infrastructure investments

The Government of Ghana has secured and ring-fenced US$1.7 billion for the construction of the long-planned Accra–Kumasi Expressway, providing the strongest indication yet that the country’s flagship highway project is moving from planning into execution.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament, disclosed that the funds had been deposited into a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana as of July 22 and would remain inaccessible until the main construction contract is awarded. The ring-fencing of the funds is designed to assure investors and contractors that financing will be available once procurement is completed.

The proposed 176-kilometre six-lane expressway, the centrepiece of the government’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme, is expected to cut travel time between Accra and Kumasi to roughly two hours while easing congestion on one of West Africa’s busiest transport corridors. The project will incorporate modern interchanges, bridges, intelligent transport systems, electronic tolling, emergency response facilities and rest areas, reflecting a shift toward higher-standard highway infrastructure.

Government said preparatory works are advancing in parallel. Feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs are expected to be completed by the end of August, with procurement for the main construction contract scheduled to commence in September. Authorities also indicated that approximately 70% of the required right-of-way has already been cleared, reducing one of the major implementation risks that have delayed previous infrastructure projects.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the project represents one of Ghana’s most significant public infrastructure commitments in recent years. Improved connectivity between the country’s political capital and commercial hub is expected to lower freight costs, enhance supply chain efficiency, improve road safety and strengthen domestic trade, while supporting long-term productivity and private sector investment.

For financial markets, the government’s decision to secure financing before construction begins may also help reinforce confidence in project execution and fiscal planning, particularly after recent public debate over whether funds allocated to the expressway had already been spent. The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department previously clarified that project funds remained untouched in a dedicated Bank of Ghana account and had not been disbursed to contractors.