Reconstruction of 10-lane $350m Accra-Tema Motorway begins

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday officially launched the reconstruction of the Accra-Tema Motorway and its extension, a significant infrastructure project expected to enhance transportation in Ghana.
The $350 million project, undertaken by Messers Maripoma Limited—a wholly owned Ghanaian company—will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and is slated for completion in 36 months.

A visionary 10-lane expressway
The project aims to transform the existing motorway into a 10-lane expressway, with additional partial access control urban highways to cater to local community traffic.
Key components include the reconstruction of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, the creation of a new Teshie Link Interchange, and the construction of new junctions at Community 18 and Lashibi.
The project will also integrate improvements at the Flowerpot, Ashaiman, and Tema Interchanges.

Comprehensive infrastructure upgrades
In addition to expanding the motorway, the project will see the construction of eight toll plazas, ten new footbridges, and the reconstruction of critical junctions, including the Polo Junction on Liberation Road and the Emmanuel Eye Clinic Junction on J.J Rawlings Avenue.
The plan also includes the installation of adequate drainage systems, street lighting, and road furniture to enhance safety and functionality.

A milestone for national development
At the sod-cutting ceremony, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the historical significance of the Accra-Tema Motorway, originally inaugurated in 1965 by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah.
“Designed with a 50-year lifespan, this iconic road has withstood the test of time, carrying an average of 45,000 vehicles per day,” the President noted.
He emphasized the necessity of renewing this vital infrastructure to continue serving the people of Ghana for future generations.

Innovative infrastructure through PPP
The project will be completed in three phases: from the Accra-Tema Motorway roundabout to the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, from the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange to the Apenkwa Interchange, and from the Apenkwa Interchange to the Neoplan Junction on the Accra-Kumasi Road.
President Akufo-Addo described this initiative as the beginning of a “bold and innovative” approach to infrastructure development, leveraging the strengths of both public and private sectors through the PPP model.

Strategic funding and fiscal responsibility
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of Finance, explained that the project would be financed through a PPP agreement involving the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Highways Authority, and AT Express Limited under a 30-year design, finance, build, operate, and maintain arrangement.
He praised the strategic use of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) to secure $380 million in equity and viability gap finance for the project, ensuring value for money for Ghanaian taxpayers.

Boosting economic activity and job creation
Mr. Francis Assenso Boakye, Minister of Roads and Highways, emphasized the broader benefits of the project, noting that its completion would significantly boost economic activity and improve the quality of life for millions of Ghanaians.
“This project will also create jobs, improve the skills of Ghanaians who will be engaged in the works, and serve as a blueprint for future infrastructure developments across the country,” he added.

A symbol of progress
The Accra-Tema Motorway reconstruction stands as a symbol of Ghana’s progress in infrastructure development, reflecting the country’s ability to innovate and lead in building world-class infrastructure.
As the project progresses, it promises to enhance transportation, boost economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for Ghanaians, while setting a precedent for future development projects across the nation.