Ghana has secured a ¥3 billion grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to embark on a transformative upgrade of Kumasi’s Inner Ring Road; a project expected to ease congestion and reshape mobility in the Ashanti regional capital.
The agreement, signed in Accra on Thursday by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, commits Japan to fund critical improvements along the Santasi–Ahodwo corridor, one of the busiest stretches of road in Kumasi and a vital link on the Takoradi/Tema–Ouagadougou trade route.
For years, Kumasi’s growth has outpaced its transport infrastructure, turning key junctions and stretches of road into daily choke points.
Officials say the overhaul will widen the route, modernize intersections, and introduce safer walkways and drainage systems, cutting journey times and enhancing road safety for commuters and freight operators alike.
Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, described the grant as a “timely boost” to Ghana’s infrastructure agenda, situating the project within a larger blueprint to modernize Kumasi’s transport network.
“This is part of a vision that includes Suame Interchange, the Konongo Bypass, and the 45km Outer Ring Road. We are not just fixing roads, we are unlocking opportunities for trade, jobs, and growth,” he said.
Representing JICA, Senior Representative ODA Ryotaro underscored the symbolic weight of the agreement, noting it is the first new Grant Aid to Ghana following the TICAD 9 summit in Yokohama.
“Improving transport is not just about traffic—it is about prosperity, access, and resilience. That is the spirit of our partnership,” he remarked.
Once completed, officials project that travel speeds along the Inner Ring Road will more than triple, drastically reducing delays and creating safer, more reliable access to schools, hospitals, markets, and other vital services.
