President Mahama commends GAF for completing Accra-Kumasi Expressway clearing works ahead of schedule

President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the Ghana Armed Forces, specifically the Engineer Corps, for completing the clearing works of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway one week earlier than planned. The clearance of 175.6 kilometers from Ablekumah in the Greater Accra Region to Sewuah in the Ashanti Region was completed in 19 weeks, surpassing the initially allocated 20 weeks.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mahama highlighted that the project is part of preparatory work towards constructing the 198.7-kilometer, six-lane expressway that connects Ghana's two largest cities. He expressed pride in the achievement, stating that the Ghana Armed Forces accomplished the mission "mission accomplished." The clearing exercise involved traversing through virgin forest and crossing rivers and streams, which made the feat particularly noteworthy.

Mahama praised the Engineers Regiment and announced that they will be honored at the next national honours ceremony to commemorate Ghana's 70th independence anniversary. He emphasized that the proposed expressway will significantly shorten the distance between Accra and Kumasi, currently about 270 kilometers, down to approximately 198.7 kilometers and reducing travel time from five to six hours to around two hours.

The President detailed additional features of the expressway, including two toll interchanges, eight interchanges, four rest stops, tow trucks, and CCTV cameras for enhanced safety and convenience for motorists. The project is being implemented under the Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, a special purpose vehicle registered under the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), with a dedicated management team and governing board.

Mahama stressed the critical role of efficient transportation infrastructure in economic development, noting that road networks are essential for the movement of people and goods, and stimulate economic activity. He connected the project to the vision of Ghana's founding President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who constructed the motorway connecting Accra to Tema to support industrial and economic development.

The President expressed optimism that the Accra-Kumasi Expressway marks the beginning of a new era in Ghana's transport infrastructure and called on future governments to continue and build upon this work.