An Urban Designer and Architect at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Charles Essel, has thrown his support behind the government’s plan to construct a new expressway linking Accra and Kumasi.
His comments come amid criticism from the Minority in Parliament, who argue that the expressway is a misplaced priority.

The caucus insists that the government should instead focus on completing the ongoing dualisation of the existing Accra–Kumasi Highway.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, Mr Essel said the expressway would shorten the distance between the two cities and allow vehicles to travel up to 180 km/h. He added that the route would bypass settlements, reducing travel time and congestion.

Addressing concerns about funding, he noted that the project is a societal necessity that will benefit the state and emphasised that the government should secure the required resources, given the critical role of transportation in moving goods and services efficiently.

“It is the perfect idea. We should work towards it and make sure it is done,” he said.

The project is set to be Ghana’s first purpose-built expressway, featuring limited access points, higher speed limits, and safety infrastructure designed to reduce travel time and prevent accidents. This historic initiative marks the country’s first true expressway—a modern high-speed corridor linking Accra and Kumasi.

In total, the highway spans 198.7 kilometres, including 23 kilometres of urban connecting sections in Accra and Kumasi built to a 4-lane standard at 60 kilometres per hour, and a 175-kilometre main expressway of 6 lanes designed for speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour.

Once completed, the expressway is expected to transform travel and trade, cut journey times significantly, and boost economic growth across the southern regions of Ghana.