News
CAGD denies claims that GH¢11 billion has been spent on Accra Kumasi Expressway
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-16-at-13.30.58.jpeg&description=CAGD denies claims that GH¢11 billion has been spent on Accra Kumasi Expressway', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-16-at-13.30.58.jpeg&description=CAGD denies claims that GH¢11 billion has been spent on Accra Kumasi Expressway', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that the government has already spent nearly GH¢11 billion on the Accra Kumasi Expressway project even though major construction has not begun.
In a statement, the department explained that the claim was based on a misunderstanding of government accounting procedures.
According to the CAGD, the Accra Kumasi Expressway is one of the government’s flagship infrastructure projects.
To ensure steady financing and avoid delays and cost overruns, the government, through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), established Accra Kumasi Expressway Limited as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the project.
The department said Parliament approved the use of proceeds from the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) and mineral royalties in the 2025 Budget to finance the project. It added that the approved funds were transferred from the Consolidated Fund into a dedicated Bank of Ghana account.
However, the CAGD stressed that the money has not been paid to any contractor and has not been used for construction works.
According to the statement, the funds remain in the dedicated Bank of Ghana account and will only be used when the project moves into the execution stage.
The department also clarified that the ongoing right of way clearing by the Ghana Armed Forces is a separate preparatory activity and is not being financed with the earmarked funds.
Explaining the accounting treatment, the CAGD said government operates through three levels: Central Government, Local Government and Government Business Entities, including State Owned Enterprises such as Accra Kumasi Expressway Limited.
It noted that under public financial management rules, transfers from the Consolidated Fund to government entities outside the Central Government accounting group are recorded as grant expenditure in the books of Central Government and as grant revenue in the books of the receiving entity.
The department said this is a standard accounting practice and does not mean the receiving entity has spent the money.
It added that the same accounting principle applies to transfers made to institutions such as the District Assemblies Common Fund, GETFund and the National Health Insurance Authority.
The CAGD therefore urged the public not to interpret the accounting records as evidence that the funds had already been spent on the Accra Kumasi Expressway project.
It assured Ghanaians that the accounting treatment for the project is fully consistent with the country’s Public Financial Management framework and established government accounting standards.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of the Interior has condemned the assault of an arrested person while in police custody and has directed the Inspector-General of Police to launch a full investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry said it noted with concern that the assault followed public statements linked to a religious dispute, including calls for violence against persons considered to have offended religious sensibilities.
“The Ministry unequivocally condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that regardless of the allegation against a suspect, no one has the right to assault a person in police custody.
“An arrested person is in custody of the State and is entitled to the protection of the law,” the statement noted.
It also expressed serious concern over how civilians gained access to the person in custody.
The Minister, Muntaka Mubarak has directed the IGP to take three immediate actions
They are to identify how civilians accessed the arrested person and determine if any police personnel facilitated, permitted or acquiesced, adding that officers found culpable will face disciplinary action.
Additionally take immediate steps to identify, arrest and investigate the civilian persons who carried out the assault, in accordance with the law.
And finally investigate the conduct of all supervising officers responsible for custody and supervision, and apply disciplinary sanctions where necessary.
The Minister further directed the Police to deal with all persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents “strictly in accordance with the law and without fear or favour.”
The Ministry reiterated that religious incitement, religious violence and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana.
“No religious belief, personal grievance or other consideration places anyone above the law,” the statement emphasized.
It reaffirmed government’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the rights of persons in custody and promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Government of Ghana has stated that it fully funded the evacuation of more than 1,600 Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, said Ghana did not seek financial or material support from the South African Government to bring the affected Ghanaians back home.
The Ministry was responding to media reports that South Africa was seeking about $18 million in reimbursement from some African countries for costs incurred in supporting and evacuating their nationals.
It explained that all costs related to the evacuation of Ghanaians were covered by the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners.
According to the Ministry, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the exercise still ongoing.
It said the evacuees are also provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items after arriving in Ghana to help them settle back into the country.
The Ministry assured Ghanaians that the country would not be included among those being asked by South Africa to reimburse the cost of repatriating foreign nationals.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaians living abroad.
The Ministry said the government would continue to take timely action whenever the safety and security of Ghanaians outside the country were at risk.
It expressed gratitude to President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting the fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation exercise.
By: Jacob Aggrey
