President John Dramani Mahama has announced that $2 billion has been secured to finance the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, assuring Ghanaians that funding will not delay the project.
Speaking at Monday’s handover ceremony for the 175.6-kilometre right-of-way cleared by the Ghana Armed Forces, President Mahama said the funds were sourced from taxpayers’ money and lodged in a special account at the Bank of Ghana.
He said the arrangement will ensure that payment certificates submitted by the contractor are honoured promptly, preventing financial challenges from slowing down construction.
“This is our own money. We have not gone to borrow money from anywhere. This money is the taxpayers’ money,” President Mahama stated.
The President also directed the Minister for Roads and Highways to engage the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Regiment as a major subcontractor to support the main contractor and help ensure timely delivery.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured that the full amount required for the project will be available by December 31, 2026, with government maintaining that it will not borrow to finance the project.
The 198.7-kilometre expressway is expected to reduce travel time and transport costs between Accra and Kumasi, ease pressure on the existing road network and improve road safety.
The Ghana Armed Forces completed the clearance of the project’s 175.6-kilometre right-of-way in 19 weeks, one week ahead of the original 20-week target.
Source:- myrepubliconline.com
