Government to fully fund Accra-Kumasi Expressway without borrowing – Finance Minister

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Baah Forson has confirmed that the full funding for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will come from the government's own resources, without taking on any new debt. In an assurance to the nation, the minister stated that the necessary funds will be ready by December 31, 2026. The expressway project forms part of the government's strategy to invest in infrastructure while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

In a recent interview, the Finance Minister highlighted the Ghana Air Force's role in the preparatory works, noting their ability to contribute to national development beyond their primary security responsibilities. He credited the force for completing their tasks professionally and ahead of schedule, praising them as not only protectors of Ghana's sovereignty but also dependable partners in national development.

The successful completion of this phase will pave the way for an expressway that is expected to reduce travel time, decrease transportation costs, enhance road safety, and elevate the overall standard of infrastructure in the country. The minister emphasized that as the Minister for Finance, he would ensure that the entire amount needed for the expressway project would be available by the stipulated date, with a clear commitment not to borrow a single pesewa for its construction.

Furthermore, the newly appointed Acting Director-General of the Value for Money Office under the Ministry of Finance will be responsible for scrutinizing the expressway project. The office will make the project its first major task, aiming to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively and that every cedi contributes to the overall value of the project.

The minister underscored President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to building infrastructure while maintaining fiscal responsibility, stating that this expressway would materialize that principle into a road that will benefit generations to come.