Accra-Kumasi Expressway would allow people to live in Kumasi and work in Accra – Inusah Fuseini

Former Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini, says the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway could make it possible for people to live in Kumasi and work in Accra because of the significant reduction in travel time.

He said the project would not only improve transportation between the two cities but could also stimulate economic growth and shift development along the corridor.

Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on Tuesday, September 15, he said the expressway could transform the relationship between Accra and Kumasi by making daily travel between the two cities more feasible.

“It should be possible for people to live in Kumasi and work in Accra. You know, it’s one and a half hours. When you reduce travel time, you start off from 6 a.m. by 7:30, you go to work, you close at 5 o’clock, you go back,” he said.

The former lawmaker said the expected reduction in travel time would also lower the cost of transportation and vehicle maintenance while improving convenience for motorists.

He noted that motorists currently spend several hours travelling between Accra and Kumasi, particularly when using the existing route, resulting in higher fuel consumption and increased wear and tear on vehicles.

“When you do a major road project like the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, you are shifting development and growth of the country towards that area,” he said.

The comments follow the handover of a 175.6-kilometre right-of-way cleared by the Ghana Armed Forces for the project on Monday, September 14.

Managing Director of Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, Engineer Francis Ahlidza, disclosed at the ceremony that the project would cover approximately 198.7 kilometres between Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region and Sewua in the Ashanti Region.

The project comprises about 176 kilometres of newly constructed expressway and approximately 23 kilometres of upgraded connector roads at the Accra and Kumasi ends.

The expressway will feature eight grade-separated interchanges, 11 vehicle overpasses and 55 mainline bridges.

The mainline will be a Class A highway with a three-lane dual carriageway on a 36-metre standard roadbed and a design speed of 120 kilometres per hour.

The connector roads will be Class B roads with a speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour.