The debate over major road infrastructure intensified during the 2026 Budget discussions when Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, former Minister of Road and Highways and Member of the Roads and Highways Committee of Parliament challenged the government’s plan to abandon the ongoing dualisation of the Accra–Kumasi Highway, despite the Minister for Finance noting that the project is already 64% complete.
He criticised the proposal to begin a new Accra–Kumasi Expressway, estimated at nearly US$1 billion, describing it as wasteful while commuters continue to face delays and dangers on the existing route.
He highlighted that several interventions including dualisation works, bypasses, and interchanges are already underway to improve traffic flow, enhance commuter safety, and reduce congestion, and urged the government to prioritise their completion to ensure tangible benefits and better value for public funds.
“As a Minority, we are not opposed to an Accra–Kumasi Expressway,” Asenso-Boakye said. “What concerns us is value for money and the prudent management of scarce national resources. Launching a new expressway while the ongoing dualisation is far advanced, 64 percent as announced in the budget statement raises serious questions about planning and accountability.”
He traced the project’s history, noting that it began under the Kufuor administration with key interventions such as:
• Circle–Taifa dualisation
• Nsawam Bypass & Nsawam–Apedwa dualisation
• Nkawkaw Bypass
• Fumesua–KNUST dualisation
The project stalled completely during the eight years of the Mills and Mahama administration, but the Akufo-Addo government revived it with interventions including:
• Osino, Anyinam, Enyiresi, and Konongo bypasses
• Ofankor–Nsawam works
• Pokuase Interchange
He cautioned that abandoning the ongoing dualisation to start a new expressway risks wasting already invested resources, prolonging commuters’ hardship, and increasing costs. He urged the government to prioritise evidence-based planning over politically driven initiatives to maintain public trust and ensure efficient use of resources.
“The people of Ghana deserve accountability and transparency in road infrastructure management. Announcing new projects is not enough; ongoing works must be completed efficiently and sustainably,” he concluded.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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