Stretching roughly 250 kilometres through major commercial centres such as Nsawam, Suhum, Bunso, Anyinam, Nkawkaw and Konongo, the Accra–Kumasi highway carries thousands of passengers, traders and heavy-duty vehicles every single day. It connects the political capital to the commercial hub, serving as a critical route for the movement of food, industrial goods, raw materials and essential services.
Yet, despite its strategic importance, the road has become synonymous with congestion, deterioration, accidents and endless promises of expansion.
For decades, successive governments have announced plans to modernise and dualise the highway, but progress has remained painfully slow. This raises a question many Ghanaians continue to ask: what exactly is preventing the construction of a modern, efficient Accra–Kumasi road?
When large sections of the Accra–Kumasi highway were originally developed, Ghana’s population was significantly smaller, vehicle ownership was low, and freight movement was limited.
Today, the country has changed dramatically.
Ghana’s population has more than tripled over the past few decades, while economic activities between the southern and middle belts have expanded rapidly. The result is a highway carrying far more traffic than it was designed to handle. Long queues of cargo trucks, commercial buses, private vehicles and motorcycles now compete for limited road space, creating severe congestion, especially during holidays and peak business periods.
The challenge is no longer about routine maintenance; it is about building an entirely new transport system capable of supporting a modern economy.
One of the biggest obstacles is financing. Constructing a world-class dual carriageway or expressway between Accra and Kumasi requires billions of cedis. Such a project involves extensive engineering works, including interchanges, bridges, drainage systems, service lanes and safety infrastructure. Governments must often choose between competing national priorities such as healthcare, education, energy, agriculture and security.
With limited public funds and growing debt obligations, securing sustainable financing for a large-scale road project becomes increasingly difficult.
In many cases, governments announce ambitious infrastructure plans but struggle to mobilise the necessary resources for full implementation. Another major hurdle is land acquisition.
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Over the years, towns and settlements have expanded along the highway corridor. Commercial activities have flourished, with businesses, homes and markets occupying spaces that would otherwise be needed for road expansion. Acquiring these lands requires compensation for affected property owners, a process that is often expensive, time-consuming and legally complicated. Disputes over ownership, delays in compensation payments and resistance from affected communities can significantly slow down construction timelines.
Political Transitions and Policy Discontinuity
Infrastructure projects in Ghana frequently suffer from changes in political leadership. Every election cycle brings new priorities, new budget allocations and, sometimes, new project models. Projects initiated by one administration may be reviewed, modified or suspended by another government. This lack of continuity can delay implementation and increase overall costs.
The Accra–Kumasi corridor has seen multiple announcements, feasibility studies and funding discussions over the years, but changes in government have often affected momentum. Long-term infrastructure projects require a national consensus that transcends political parties and election cycles.
Investors
Governments have increasingly explored public-private partnerships to finance major road projects. However, attracting private investment is not always straightforward. Investors seek guarantees regarding traffic volumes, toll revenues, regulatory stability and project profitability. Economic challenges, currency fluctuations and concerns about debt sustainability can make investors cautious. Without clear and transparent financing arrangements, proposed projects often remain on paper for years.
Road expansion involves far more than laying asphalt. Engineers must relocate electricity lines, water pipelines, communication cables and drainage systems that run along the corridor. These activities require coordination among multiple institutions and can lead to significant delays if not properly managed. Additionally, sections of the highway pass through mountainous terrain and densely populated areas, requiring sophisticated engineering solutions that increase project costs and complexity.
Maintenance Culture and Overloaded Vehicles
Even where rehabilitation works are completed, maintaining the highway remains a challenge. Heavy trucks carrying loads beyond approved limits accelerate the deterioration of road surfaces. Weak enforcement of axle-load regulations further compounds the problem. Poor maintenance practices often result in roads requiring major reconstruction much sooner than expected. Without effective maintenance systems and stricter enforcement measures, new investments risk yielding only short-term benefits.
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The consequences of inaction extend beyond traffic congestion.
The Accra–Kumasi highway has witnessed numerous road accidents over the years, many of them fatal. Delays increase transportation costs, reduce productivity and contribute to higher prices of goods across the country. Farmers struggle to transport produce efficiently, businesses incur higher logistics costs, and commuters spend valuable hours stuck in traffic. The economic losses associated with an inadequate road network are substantial and affect nearly every Ghanaian.
What Needs to Change?
The future of the Accra–Kumasi road depends on a combination of political will, sustainable financing and long-term planning. Ghana needs a comprehensive strategy that includes:
Ring-fenced funding for major transport infrastructure projects.
Stronger public-private partnership frameworks.
Faster and more transparent land acquisition processes.
Greater policy continuity across political administrations.
Strict enforcement of axle-load regulations.
Investment in alternative transport systems, including rail networks.
The Accra–Kumasi corridor should not be viewed merely as a road project but as a national economic priority. A modern expressway linking the country’s political and commercial capitals would boost trade, improve safety, reduce travel times and unlock significant economic opportunities.
The question is no longer whether Ghana needs a modern Accra–Kumasi road. The real question is whether successive governments are prepared to move beyond promises and commit to the long-term decisions required to deliver one. Until that happens, millions of commuters and businesses will continue to bear the cost of a road network that no longer meets the demands of a growing nation.