We're designing new expressway between Accra and Kumasi to reduce travel time to 2 and half hours – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced ambitious infrastructure plans under the Big Push programme, including the construction of a new expressway between Accra and Kumasi that will drastically cut travel time between the two major cities.

“Cabinet will soon approve priority projects under the Big Push infrastructural program. Understandably, a significant number of these priority projects will be in the road sector. These works include the dualization of major highways, including the Accra-Kumasi, Accra-Takoradi, Accra-Aflao roads,” Mahama said during his thank-you tour of the Upper West Region on May 15.

He added that a new expressway was being designed to improve connectivity between Ghana’s two largest cities.

“We're also designing a new expressway between Accra and Kumasi, which will reduce the travel time between the two largest cities in Ghana to about 2 and half hours,” he said.

The President also noted that the government would focus on improving key transport infrastructure across the country.

“We'll also tackle major bridges, such as the Dambai Bridge, the Kyeiamanfrom Bridge, rehabilitation of the Buipe Bridge, Daboya Bridge, and Yapei Bridges,” he added.

Turning attention to the Upper West Region, President Mahama pledged significant investments in critical road infrastructure.

“During the campaign, we traveled on the terrible road network that has become characteristic of the Upper West Region. In this region, under the Big Push, we are prioritizing the Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga Trunk Road and the Techiman-Wenchi-Bole-Wa-Hamile Corridor. Sections of the Sawla-Fufulso Road will also be resurfaced to improve connectivity between the Upper West and the Savannah and Northern regions. These roads will not only enhance trade and transport, but they will also simulate cross-border business and revive economic activity,” he assured.

He emphasized his government’s commitment to improving access in remote areas: “We'll upgrade roads in the Wa-East, Nadowli, the Fema-Buse-Issa, and Sisala-East districts to improve access to markets, schools, and health facilities. My brothers and sisters, work will begin very soon. In a few months, you'll see contractors on all these roads because the money has been provided in the budget.”

The President highlighted that the 2025 national budget has allocated significant funding to make the Big Push a reality.

“This year, we set aside 14 billion Ghana cedis for the Big Push. And the Finance Minister has assured me that all the contractors will get 15% mobilization to be able to mobilize to site. And he has also assured me that any contractor on the Big Push projects who presents his certificate for payment will be paid within two weeks of presentation of the certificate. So no contractor will have the excuse that he has not been paid. And so we want to see work continuing as soon as the contract is awarded,” President Mahama stated.

The Big Push programme is expected to transform Ghana’s transport infrastructure, boost economic activity, and improve access to essential services across the country.