Omanghana
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently complete abandoned and outstanding works on the existing Accra–Kumasi Highway to reduce recurring crashes and protect motorists.
The appeal followed a fatal multi-vehicle collision near the Birimso Bridge and Bunso Junction in the Eastern Region on Monday, August 3, 2026. The crash involved several vehicles and resulted in deaths and injuries.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 4, the Minority described the accident as another painful reminder of the longstanding safety problems along one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors.
The caucus expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured in the collision a speedy recovery.
Ranking Member of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, said the government should redirect approximately US$300 million from funds set aside for the proposed Accra–Kumasi Expressway to complete four unfinished bypasses and other critical sections of the existing road.
According to him, about US$1.7 billion in oil revenue has been placed in an escrow account as part of the financing for the proposed expressway, whose total cost has been estimated at approximately US$4 billion, excluding compensation and related expenses.
Osei Nyarko argued that using a portion of the money to improve the present highway would not prevent the government from proceeding with the new expressway.
He explained that contractors are normally paid progressively based on completed work, meaning the entire escrow amount would not have to be released at once.
The Minority stressed that it supports the proposed six-lane Accra–Kumasi Expressway because it would provide an alternative route between the two cities. However, it warned that the project could take between 60 and 80 months to complete.
The caucus said motorists should not be left to face dangerous conditions on the current highway throughout that construction period.
It also warned that abandoned bypasses and partially completed roadworks would continue deteriorating if immediate action was not taken, ultimately increasing the cost of completing them.
Osei Nyarko has described the existing highway as a “death trap,” citing its single-carriage design as a major factor in frequent head-on collisions. He noted that drivers have little room for error when overtaking on sections without divided lanes.
The Minority is therefore urging the government to pursue the two projects simultaneously by advancing the new expressway while completing bypasses and improving dangerous sections of the existing highway.
The caucus maintained that upgrading the current route should be treated as a national safety priority because it could reduce congestion, prevent crashes and save lives before the new expressway becomes operational.
Source: Omanghana
