President Mahama Launches Cape Coast-Takoradi Highway Dualisation Project
2 weeks ago
President Mahama Launches Cape Coast-Takoradi Highway Dualisation Project
October 22, 2025 President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched construction of the Cape Coast-Takoradi dual carriageway, cutting the sod for the ambitious 73.6-kilometre road project that forms a critical section of Ghana's National Route 1 and the Trans-West African Highway.
The ceremony, held Tuesday at Assorko Essaman in the Shama District following the President's inspection of the Western Regional Hospital at Apemenyim, marks the commencement of a major infrastructure project under the government's Big Push roads initiative.
Two-Year Timeline, Comprehensive Design
The dualisation project, scheduled for completion within two years, will transform the heavily trafficked route with state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and support economic development along Ghana's western corridor.
The dual carriageway will feature:
- Nine interchanges
- 10 bridges
- 15 footbridges
- 20 kilometres of service roads
- Rest stops
- Axle load stations
These facilities are intended to modernize the corridor, reduce travel time, and significantly improve road safety for the thousands of motorists who use the route daily.
Three-Lot Construction Approach
To ensure efficient execution, construction works have been divided into three lots, each assigned to separate contractors:
Lot 1: Cape Coast to Kissi Lot 2: Kissi to Daboase Lot 3: Daboase to Takoradi Airport Roundabout
This segmented approach is expected to allow simultaneous construction across different sections of the highway, potentially accelerating the overall completion timeline.
Addressing a Critical Safety Challenge
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, President Mahama emphasized the urgent need for the project, describing the existing Cape Coast-Takoradi road as severely deteriorated and a major contributor to road accidents and fatalities in the region.
"This is a critical national route that has become dangerously deteriorated, contributing to frequent road accidents and loss of lives. The dualisation project will not only enhance safety but also facilitate trade and economic integration along the western corridor of the country and beyond," the President stated.
The highway serves as a vital artery connecting the Central and Western Regions, linking major commercial centers, the Takoradi Port, and numerous industrial and mining operations. Its poor condition has long been a source of frustration for road users and businesses dependent on efficient transportation.
Economic and Regional Significance
Beyond safety improvements, the dualisation is expected to generate significant economic benefits by:
- Reducing transportation costs for businesses
- Improving access to the Takoradi Port, Ghana's second-largest seaport
- Facilitating movement of goods and services between regional economic centers
- Supporting tourism development along the coastal corridor
- Enhancing Ghana's connectivity within the West African regional transport network
As part of the Trans-West African Highway system, the improved route will also strengthen Ghana's role in regional trade and integration, providing more efficient connections to neighboring Côte d'Ivoire and other ECOWAS member states.
Big Push Infrastructure Agenda
The Cape Coast-Takoradi dualisation represents a flagship project under the Mahama administration's Big Push infrastructure initiative, which aims to accelerate the construction and rehabilitation of critical roads across the country.
The government has prioritized road infrastructure as essential to economic development, job creation, and improved quality of life for Ghanaians. The Big Push strategy focuses on simultaneously executing multiple large-scale road projects to achieve rapid transformation of the nation's transportation network.
Local and Regional Impact
Communities along the Cape Coast-Takoradi corridor, including Elmina, Abandze, Komenda, Shama, and numerous smaller towns and villages, are expected to benefit from improved accessibility, reduced travel times, and new economic opportunities created during and after construction.
The project will also generate employment for construction workers, suppliers, and service providers throughout the two-year construction period, providing economic stimulus to the Central and Western Regions.
Historical Context
The Cape Coast-Takoradi road has been a longstanding infrastructure challenge, with previous administrations making various commitments to upgrade the route. The formal launch of construction represents the actualization of plans that have been under discussion for several years.
The dualisation project joins other major highway developments across Ghana, including ongoing work on the Accra-Kumasi and Tema-Mpakadan routes, as the government seeks to modernize the country's road network to support economic growth and regional competitiveness.
Construction is expected to commence immediately across all three lots, with the contractors working to meet the two-year completion deadline.
