Fact Check: CAGD confirms GH¢11bn Accra-Kumasi expressway funds are untouched

The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has formally addressed viral social media allegations claiming that the government has already "spent" nearly GH¢11 billion on the Accra-Kumasi Motorway project despite construction not yet beginning.

In an official statement released on July 16, 2026, the CAGD clarified that these claims are entirely unfounded, stemming from a fundamental misunderstanding of public sector accounting procedures.

The Truth: Why the Confusion?

The controversy originated from the 2025 Audited Annual Whole of Government Accounts, which recorded a transaction of approximately GH¢10.92 billion under "Government Priority Programmes".

The CAGD explains that this is a standard accounting transfer, not an expenditure on construction work. To protect the project from the funding delays and cost overruns that have plagued past infrastructure, the government established the Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited—a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) classified as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE).

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Where is the money now?

The CAGD provided a definitive update on the status of the funds:

• Safe and Untouched: The funds, sourced from the 2025 Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) and mineral royalties, were transferred from the Consolidated Fund into a dedicated Bank of Ghana account.

• Zero Payouts: The department emphasised that not a single cedi has been paid to contractors or spent on physical construction works.

• Standard Practice: This accounting treatment is identical to how funds are moved to major national institutions like the GETFund, the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). It is a transfer of ownership within government entities, not a final expenditure.

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Clarification on Ongoing Site Work

The report also addresses the ongoing activity visible to commuters along the route. The CAGD clarified that the right-of-way clearing currently being performed by the Ghana Armed Forces is a distinct preparatory activity and is not being financed from the GH¢11 billion motorway fund.

Why This Matters

As one of the government’s flagship projects, the Accra-Kumasi Motorway is designed to transform travel between Ghana’s two largest cities. By ring-fencing these funds in a dedicated account, the government aims to ensure the project remains fully funded and on schedule, free from the budgetary risks that have hindered previous road developments.

The CAGD has urged the public to rely on official financial reporting, noting that these accounting entries are a standard part of the government's rigorous financial management framework.