The President, John Dramani Mahama, has announced plans to dualise the Accra–Cape Coast–Takoradi highway as part of measures to boost tourism in the Central Region and reduce Ghana’s alarming rate of road crashes.
The President made the commitment during his first presidential media engagement of his second term, where he fielded questions from journalists on his policy agenda and pressing national issues.
Responding to a question on how government intends to enhance the Central Region’s tourism potential, Mr Mahama said road infrastructure was central to both accessibility and safety.
“In Ghana, we’ve maintained single-lane highways for a very long time, and they are prone to accidents. Every day, you hear of crashes on the Kumasi road or the Cape Coast road because when two vehicles are moving in opposite directions on a single lane, the risk of head-on collisions is very high due to wrongful overtaking,” he explained.
He added that dualising the road would ease travel, cut journey times, and make Cape Coast more attractive for both domestic and international visitors.
“Reducing travel time will help enhance tourism. Someone could wake up in Accra, drive to Cape Coast, enjoy the tourist experience, and return the same day. That is what this road project will make possible,” he said.
The President’s remarks come against a backdrop of rising road casualties. Statistics from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) show that between January and June 2025, 7,289 crashes were reported nationwide, involving 12,354 vehicles. More than 8,300 people were injured and 1,504 killed, more lives lost in six months than Ghana recorded throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic. On average, eight Ghanaians die in crashes every day.
President Mahama stressed that tackling this crisis requires not only better infrastructure but also improved service delivery, arguing that both are essential if Ghana is to unlock the full potential of its tourism sector.
3 Responses
Very candid on the President remarks. But I want ask; in constructing of roads can some education be done by the various stakeholders in order to create awareness for Ghanaians and the commuters on the direction to use, especially those with vehicle.
Putting up signboards, directions signals is not enough. Our digital platforms can also aid our road ministry to propagate information. Especially for citizens outside the country could also be abreast with that information; so as they can prepare adequately when they touch down for seasonal holidays and festivals on how to maneuver their way to their hometown, vicinity etc. This can help bring some mutual understanding between commuters and contractors.
Very candid on the President remarks. But I want ask; in constructing of roads can some education be done by the various stakeholders in order to create awareness for Ghanaians and the commuters on the direction to use, especially those with vehicles.
Putting up signboards, directions signals is not enough. Our digital platforms can also aid our road ministry to propagate information. Especially for citizens outside the country could also be abreast with that information; so as they can prepare adequately when they touch down for seasonal holidays and festivals on how to maneuver their way to their hometown, vicinity etc. This can help bring some mutual understanding between commuters and contractors.
Very candid on the President remarks. But I want ask; in constructing of roads can some education be done by the various stakeholders in order to create awareness for Ghanaians and the commuters on the direction to use, especially those with vehicles.
Putting up signboards, direction sinages is not enough. Our digital platforms can also aid our road ministry to propagate information. Especially for citizens outside the country could also be abreast with that information; so as they can prepare adequately when they touch down for seasonal holidays and festivals on how to maneuver their way to their hometown, vicinity etc. This can help bring some mutual understanding between commuters and contractors.