Accra: The Accra-Kumasi Expressway will be the first major infrastructure project to come under the scrutiny of the Value for Money Office (VfMO) under the Ministry of Finance. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minister of Finance, stated that the Office would scrutinise the project to ensure that public funds were properly utilised and that every Ghana Cedi spent delivered value to the Ghanaian taxpayer.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Forson made the disclosure at the handing-over ceremony of the right-of-way for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway at Kwaso in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region. He highlighted that the decision to make the expressway the first major task of the VfMO demonstrated the government's commitment to ensuring accountability and value for money in the implementation of major infrastructure projects. The Minister emphasised the government's determination to build critical infrastructure while ensuring that public expenditure was subjected to appropriate scrutiny.
Dr. Forson assured Ghanaians that the entire amount required for the construction of the expressway would be available by December 31, 2026. He noted that the financial commitment would facilitate the smooth implementation of the project, which is expected to improve connectivity between Accra and Kumasi, two major urban and economic centres in Ghana.
The Minister commended the Ghana Armed Forces for clearing the right-of-way, stating that the exercise demonstrated the capacity of the military to support national infrastructure development beyond its core security mandate. Following discussions with the Minister of Roads and Highways, a proposal was presented to President John Dramani Mahama for the Armed Forces to undertake the right-of-way clearing, which received the President's support. Dr. Forson noted that the Armed Forces delivered the assignment professionally and ahead of schedule.
He also mentioned that the successful handover of the right-of-way had paved the way for the construction of the expressway, which would reduce travel time and transportation costs, improve road safety, and facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services. Dr. Forson added that the project was expected to contribute to job creation and economic growth as part of the Government's broader infrastructure development agenda.
He reiterated the Government's commitment to ensuring that major infrastructure projects were implemented efficiently and responsibly to provide lasting benefits to the Ghanaian people.