Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says the Accra-Kumasi Expressway is being designed to achieve more than simply connecting Ghana’s two major cities, describing the project as part of a broader plan to link the southern and northern parts of the country.
According to him, the government’s long-term vision is to develop a major transport corridor stretching from Accra through Kumasi to Tamale, opening up communities along the route and supporting economic activity across the country.
Dr Ato Forson made the remarks in an interview on Ahenfie FM in Kumasi on Monday, September 14.
“The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is not just a road linking the capital city and second largest city, Kumasi. No. It is far from that. The intention of government is to open the country up, from South to North,” he said.
The Finance Minister explained that since the middle belt serves as the main route to northern Ghana, the first phase of the project would focus on connecting Accra to Kumasi.
He said the next phase would involve the construction of the Kumasi Outer Ring Road, also known as the Kumasi Orbital Road, before the corridor is extended further north.
“After this is done, the President will announce the second phase, then we continue to Tamale,” Dr Ato Forson said.
He said extending the road network to Tamale would create a major north-south connection and provide a foundation for wider economic transformation.
“That means that you have successfully connected the country from the South to the North. That is the beginning of transformation,” he stated.
Dr Ato Forson said the importance of the expressway should therefore not be judged solely by its connection to Kumasi.
“The Expressway is beyond Kumasi. It is building a country,” he said.
He also acknowledged what he described as Ghana’s limited progress in developing major national road infrastructure since the construction of the Accra-Tema Motorway under Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, in the early 1960s.
“Let’s call a spade a spade, we have not done well as a country,” the Finance Minister said.
