Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, has issued a stern warning to contractors and stakeholders involved in the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project.
The Road Minister warned that quality, value for money and timely delivery will not be compromised.
He further revealed that the contractor selection process was being pursued through international competitive pre-qualification to attract firms with the technical and financial capacity to execute the project.
Speaking at the handover of the 175.6-kilometre cleared right-of-way on Monday, September 14, Agbodza stated, “For decades, the Accra-Kumasi corridor has carried the disproportionate share of the national traffic. Growth in population, freight and commercial activity has placed increasing pressure on the existing N6”.
“The process must be competitive, transparent and rigorous. Ghana must obtain quality, value for money and timely delivery. These principles are non-negotiable,” he stated.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway will significantly reduce travel time between the two cities.
According to John Mahama, the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will cut travel time to 2 hours when the project is completed.
President Mahama disclosed that the recommended speed on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will be 120km per hour.
Speaking on Monday, September 14, at Kwaso in the Ashanti Region, during the official handover of the 175.6-kilometre right-of-way by the Ghana Armed Forces, Mahama stated, “When completed, as you were told, the recommended speed on the Expressway will be 120km per hour. You can drive at 120km per hour”.
“Even if he is travelling at 100km an hour, it means that the journey will take him two hours, instead of the five to six hours that we currently use on the old Accra-Kumasi highway,” President Mahama said.
Mahama emphasised that the reduced travel time would make it possible for people to commute between the two cities for business and return home the same day.
“And so Nana, when this Expressway is finished, you can leave Kumasi at 6am and you’ll be in Accra by 8am,” he stated.
Mahama also announced that $2 billion has been set aside to finance the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway,
Mahama assured Ghanaians that funding will not be a challenge once work begins.
According to John Mahama, the money, which is taxpayers’ funds, has been placed in a special account at the Bank of Ghana to ensure prompt payment to the contractor throughout the project.
President Mahama also disclosed that all certificates presented by the contractor will be paid promptly to prevent construction delays.
Mahama also directed the Minister for Roads and Highways to incorporate the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Regiment as a major subcontractor to the main contractor for the expressway.
He stated, “And let me also announce that this is our own money. We have not gone to borrow money from anywhere. This money is the taxpayers’ money”.
@ghnow_ Representatives of the Ga Mantse address guests at the national launch of the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ The Vice President departs the launch of the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER) at Alisa Hotel. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
