President Mahama unveils vision for nationwide expressway network

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a vision for the development of a nationwide expressway network to improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of goods and people, and accelerate economic development across Ghana.

The President said his administration’s plans would build on the foundation laid by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who recognised the importance of modern transport infrastructure to national development.

President Mahama made the remarks on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Kwaso near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, during the official handover of the cleared Right-of-Way for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.

According to him, the Accra-Kumasi Expressway is an important component of a broader vision to establish modern expressway corridors linking different parts of the country.

President Mahama said the government intends to extend the expressway network beyond the Accra-Kumasi corridor towards northern Ghana, while also developing major east-west connections.

“We’re already doing Accra to Kumasi Expressway. Our intention is to continue this expressway from Accra to the north,” he said.

He further disclosed his vision for an expressway connecting Ghana’s eastern and western borders.

“My vision is that we’ll have an expressway connecting Aflao all the way to Elubo in the west,” President Mahama said.

He said the Eastern and Western Corridors would form part of the broader transport network, linking communities and major economic centres and opening up new opportunities for businesses and investment.

The President recalled that Dr Nkrumah constructed Ghana’s first motorway to link Accra with Tema, the country’s industrial hub and home to critical economic facilities, including the ports, VALCO and the Tema Oil Refinery.

He said the expectation had been that successive governments would continue expanding the network.

“The expectation was that subsequent governments will come and continue to build on where Nkrumah left off. Unfortunately, that has not happened,” he said.

President Mahama said his administration was determined to restart that process and establish an infrastructure legacy that future governments could continue to develop.

“I believe that this is the beginning of a new era. I am starting what I can, and it’s my expectation that succeeding governments that will come after me will continue the vision of opening up the country with expressways connecting the whole country,” he said.

President Mahama emphasised the role of road infrastructure in supporting national economic growth, saying efficient transport corridors could significantly reduce travel times and improve the movement of goods and services.

“Roads and transport routes open up countries and play a very significant role in stimulating economic development,” he said.

He said the proposed nationwide expressway network would ultimately help create a more integrated Ghana, connecting major economic corridors while improving access between communities and markets.

The President urged future administrations to sustain and expand the programme, stressing that the development of a nationwide expressway network should be viewed as a long-term national project rather than the responsibility of one government.