Accra: Government says firms seeking to undertake the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project must demonstrate strong financial and technical capacity, as it moves to ensure quality, value for money, and timely delivery of the strategic road project.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways, stated that the procurement process would be rigorous, transparent, and competitive, with emphasis on firms having proven experience in delivering projects of similar scale and complexity. The process is set to be conducted through international competitive pre-qualification to attract technically competent and financially sound firms capable of meeting the project's demanding standards.
Mr. Agbodza emphasized that Ghana must obtain quality, value for money, and timely delivery, and these principles are non-negotiable. He was speaking at a ceremony to hand over the right of way at Kwaso in the Ejisu Municipality for preparatory works on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway. He highlighted the importance of a procurement process that protects the national interest and ensures the selected firms possess the requisite technical expertise, financial strength, and experience to deliver and sustain an infrastructure project of such magnitude.
The Government has established the Accra-Kumasi Expressway Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to drive the development, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project. This SPV provides the project with a clear institutional home and a defined accountability framework for its professional and long-term management.
Mr. Agbodza noted that the expressway is a strategic national corridor designed to improve mobility between Accra and Kumasi, Ghana's two largest urban and economic centers, while reducing travel time and logistics costs. It would also improve road safety and facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services across the country.
The Minister pointed out that the Accra-Kumasi corridor has been under increasing pressure from population growth, freight, and commercial activities, necessitating a long-term network solution rather than relying solely on patching and incremental widening of the existing N6. The proposed expressway aims to provide controlled-access, high-speed intercity movement and help separate through traffic from local traffic, creating greater redundancy within the national road network.
The project is part of President John Dramani Mahama's infrastructure agenda under the Big Push, which seeks to move beyond fragmented interventions and invest deliberately in infrastructure capable of unlocking economic activities. The corridor will connect production centers to markets, support the 24-hour economy, create jobs, and improve national productivity.
Government also expects the project to strengthen local participation by creating opportunities for Ghanaian engineers, contractors, consultants, suppliers, artisans, and young professionals. Mr. Agbodza emphasized the need for skills transfer, technology transfer, and meaningful participation by local businesses while maintaining the technical, financial, and safety standards demanded by a project of this magnitude.
The expressway will be integrated into the wider national road network, including the emerging Kumasi Outer Ring Road, to enhance connectivity and maximize its economic benefits. Mr. Agbodza commended President Mahama for his infrastructure vision, the Minister for Finance for efforts to secure funding, and the Ghana Armed Forces for supporting preparatory works. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, sector agencies, and communities whose cooperation is essential to the project's implementation.