Kumasi’s notorious traffic headaches are set for major relief following Ghana’s successful negotiation of a ¥3 billion grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson finalized the agreement on Thursday, October 2, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to transforming the Ashanti Regional Capital’s infrastructure.
The funds will tackle one of Kumasi’s most pressing urban challenges—the congested Inner Ring Road, a vital transportation artery that connects the N6 and N8 highways.
This critical stretch forms part of the strategic Takoradi-Tema Ports to Ouagadougou Corridor, serving not just Ghanaians but facilitating trade across West Africa.
However, years of unchecked urban expansion and surging vehicle ownership have transformed what should be a smooth transit route into a frustrating maze of traffic jams, extended travel times, and dangerous conditions for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The Japanese-funded intervention promises comprehensive improvements across a 3.2-kilometer stretch between Santasi and Ahodwo Roundabouts.
Engineers will widen the roadway to accommodate growing traffic volumes while upgrading key intersections with modern traffic signal systems designed to optimize vehicle flow.
The project also addresses often-overlooked aspects of urban mobility—pedestrian safety facilities, and drainage infrastructure will receive significant upgrades, ensuring the road functions efficiently even during Ghana’s heavy rainy seasons.
Connectivity improvements between Santasi Roundabout and the N8 highway will create smoother transitions for vehicles moving through the city, potentially reducing the bottlenecks that currently plague morning and evening rush hours.
Transportation experts predict the transformation will more than triple average travel speeds along the corridor, dramatically cutting journey times for commuters, commercial vehicles, and freight carriers who depend on this route daily.
The JICA grant represents the latest chapter in Japan’s long-standing development partnership with Ghana, particularly in infrastructure advancement.
This collaboration has previously delivered significant projects across the country, reinforcing Japan’s position as a key ally in Ghana’s development agenda.
For Kumasi residents and businesses, this announcement brings hope after years of struggling with inadequate road infrastructure that has hindered economic productivity and quality of life.
The project forms part of a broader government strategy to modernize the Ashanti Region’s transportation network, complementing ongoing initiatives including the Suame Interchange development, the second phase of Sunyani Road improvements, the Konongo Bypass, and the ambitious 45-kilometer Kumasi Outer Ring Road project currently in planning stages.
As construction timelines are finalized and contractors selected in coming months, Oseikrom—as Kumasi is affectionately known—stands on the brink of a transportation revolution that could reshape urban mobility in Ghana’s second-largest city for generations to come.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
