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President Akufo-Addo cuts sod for Accra-Tema Motorway reconstruction project
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In a significant move to enhance the nation’s infrastructure, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officiated the sod-cutting ceremony for the reconstruction of the Accra-Tema Motorway.
This marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s development journey, promising to reshape the future of transportation and economic connectivity in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony on Monday, August 26, 2024, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the historical significance and the continued relevance of the Accra-Tema Motorway, originally commissioned in 1965 by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah.
“For nearly six decades, this motorway has been a vital artery for our nation’s development, carrying an average of forty-five thousand vehicles per day, however, the time has come to renew this legacy and ensure that it continues to serve the people of Ghana for generations to come,” the President noted.
The President underscored the importance of the project as Ghana’s first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in road infrastructure, a bold step designed to bring efficiency, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility to the nation’s infrastructure development efforts.
“By uniting the expertise and resources of both public and private sectors, and with the strategic backing of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), we are not merely constructing a road; we are building a future,” he declared.
The Accra-Tema Motorway reconstruction will be executed in three distinct sections: 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 Neoplan Junction on the Accra-Kumasi Road. Today’s ceremony marks the commencement of construction on the first section, a critical phase that will enhance connectivity and support economic growth in the region.
President Akufo-Addo reiterated his administration’s commitment to modernizing Ghana’s infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21st century. “Already, we have made significant strides with ongoing projects such as the dualization of the Santasi-Ahiakwanta Road and the Adenta-Dodowa Road,” he said, adding that other key road projects, including the dualization of the Kasoa-Winneba Road and the Takoradi-Agona Junction Road, are progressing steadily.
He further announced the mobilization of contractors for the Atsutsuare-Volivo-Aveyime and Dafor-Adidome-Asikuma Roads, which include an interchange at Asikuma Junction. These projects, funded by the Government of Ghana and the African Development Bank, aim to significantly improve travel times and reduce vehicle operating costs upon completion.
In addition to these new initiatives, substantial progress has been made on several other major road projects. The President provided updates on key projects such as the dualization of the Achimota-Ofankor Road, which is being expanded into a ten-lane facility and is currently 62% complete, and the construction of the Dome-Kitase Road, which is 26% complete. He also mentioned the construction of the Tema-Akosombo Road, with sections being dualized to six lanes, and the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange (Phase 2), which is 87% complete.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to the officials and professionals from the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, and their consultants for their tireless efforts in crafting a PPP structure that leverages Ghanaian expertise in delivering this critical road project. “Their dedication to delivering this project is most commendable,” he acknowledged.
The President took particular pride in the fact that the contractor for the first phase of the project is M/S Maripoma Enterprise Ltd., a wholly Ghanaian-owned company. “This is a testament to the capability and ingenuity of our domestic enterprises, and I am confident that they will deliver this project to the highest standards,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the significance of undertaking such a monumental project during his tenure.
“The reconstruction and expansion of the Accra-Tema Motorway is proof of my government’s commitment to building a Ghana that is modern, prosperous, and connected,” he affirmed.
The president called on the Ministries of Roads and Highways and Finance to continue working diligently to ensure the project’s timely and cost-effective completion.
As Ghana embarks on this transformative journey, President Akufo-Addo’s administration remains focused on creating a robust infrastructure foundation that will drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for all Ghanaians. “Together, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for all Ghanaians,” he concluded.
The ceremony was attended by government officials, local leaders, and stakeholders who expressed optimism about the future of Ghana’s infrastructure development.
MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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The Ministry of Education (MOE) has warned students, parents and guardians against fake and digitally manipulated Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) placement slips being circulated on social media.
The MOE said it had detected attempts by some unscrupulous individuals to digitally alter placement slips and circulate them online with claims that students’ original school placements had been changed by the Ministry.
A statement signed by Mr Hashmin Mohammed, the Press Secretary to the Minister of Education issued to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, described the claims as “false and misleading.”
It said preliminary internal verification had established that some of the placement slips being circulated did not correspond with records generated from the official CSSPS platform.
The statement noted that discrepancies had been identified in the barcodes and QR codes appearing on some of the purported placement slips.
“The codes did not match the placement information displayed on the documents being circulated as evidence of alleged changes,” it added.
The Ministry’s system records and audit logs did not support the claims being made by individuals circulating the materials, the statement said.
“The evidence available to the Ministry indicates that the affected documents have been digitally manipulated or otherwise altered to create the impression that students’ placements have been changed.”
It described the alleged manipulation as a serious attempt to undermine public confidence in the CSSPS process and create confusion and anxiety among students, parents and guardians.
The statement indicated that the Ministry had referred the matter to the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant security agencies for further investigation and appropriate action. It urged the public to exercise caution and avoid sharing unverified placement slips or claims about placement changes on social media.
Parents, guardians and students have also been advised to rely only on placement information obtained through official CSSPS channels.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the 2026 CSSPS exercise was conducted with transparency, fairness, integrity and accountability, adding that legitimate concerns regarding placement would be investigated through the appropriate channels.
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