President Mahama Is Constructing the Expressway to Collapse Businesses in Kumasi – Okatakyie Afrifa

According to an Official Facebook Post by Kojo Anane Sonkondo on 7 November 2026, political commentator Okatakyie Kwame Afrifa has accused President John Dramani Mahama of pursuing an infrastructure project that could negatively affect the economic activities of Kumasi, particularly businesses that depend on the city’s strategic position as a major commercial centre.

Okatakyie Kwame Afrifa alleged that the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway is strategically intended to undermine the economic strength of the Ashanti Region’s commercial capital. He argued that constructing a major highway that diverts traffic away from an established city could have serious consequences for businesses that depend on travellers, transport operators and commercial activities along existing routes.

According to him, Kumasi occupies an important position in Ghana’s economic and transportation network because of its geographical location. He explained that travellers moving from the northern parts of the country towards Accra traditionally pass through Kumasi, creating opportunities for businesses, traders, transport operators and other commercial activities.

He particularly highlighted the importance of the Kumasi Central Market, describing it as a major trading centre whose activities benefit from the movement of people and goods through the city.

Afrifa also pointed to the transportation of goods towards Burkina Faso, arguing that trucks travelling through Kumasi contribute significantly to the city’s commercial activities and the livelihoods of businesses operating within the area.

In his view, redirecting major traffic through an expressway that bypasses Kumasi could reduce the number of travellers and transport operators stopping in the city, potentially affecting businesses that depend on roadside trade, transportation services and related economic activities.

He therefore questioned the rationale behind the proposed expressway and suggested that its construction could have unintended economic consequences for Kumasi.

Beyond the infrastructure concerns, Okatakyie Kwame Afrifa launched a broader criticism of the Mahama administration, alleging that Ghana had become a crime scene and claiming that the President had failed to implement a single policy since assuming office.

His comments have introduced a political dimension to the discussion surrounding the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, particularly regarding the balance between modern transportation infrastructure and the economic interests of existing commercial centres.

However, the potential impact of the expressway on Kumasi’s economy requires careful assessment. While bypass roads can redirect some commercial traffic away from city centres, they can also reduce congestion, improve transportation efficiency and create new economic opportunities.

The critical question, therefore, is whether the project has adequate provisions to protect existing businesses while delivering its intended transportation and economic benefits.

Source: Kojo Anane Sonkondo – Official Facebook Post, 7 November 2026.

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