President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans for a bold, future-forward initiative—relocating Ghana’s capital to a newly planned city—aimed at decongesting Accra and spurring economic transformation.
Speaking at a durbar of chiefs and residents in Dodowa as part of his ‘Thank You’ tour, Mahama announced that feasibility studies are currently underway for the design of a new national capital. The envisioned city will serve as a secondary administrative and commercial hub, relieving the mounting pressure on Accra caused by rapid urbanisation, traffic congestion, and inadequate infrastructure.
“It is time to think long-term and plan for a new city to ease this burden,” Mahama stated.
He revealed that the proposed new city would be strategically located within the Accra plains, spanning parts of the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Volta Regions—from Bundase to the Volta River. Key infrastructure plans include an expressway and a modern railway system to link the new capital directly to Accra.
The former president described the proposed city as a green, digital metropolis featuring industrial parks, financial hubs, and tourism infrastructure, designed to operate as a 24-hour economy.
Healthcare and Urban Infrastructure Expansion
In addition to the capital city proposal, Mahama outlined major healthcare and infrastructure projects. He pledged to upgrade the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) into a full-fledged Teaching Hospital by completing Phase Two, increasing capacity for specialist care and reducing regional referrals.
Further, the expansion of CHPS compounds in semi-urban communities such as Bortianor, Kpone, and Shai Osudoku is set to enhance primary healthcare access.
To support security and night-time productivity across the capital region, Mahama announced plans to install streetlights across all districts within Greater Accra as part of the broader 24-hour economy agenda.
Transport and Road Projects to Ease Traffic Flow
Mahama’s infrastructure blueprint also includes major road interventions. These projects aim to rehabilitate, expand, and construct key transport routes to support economic activity and traffic decongestion.
One of the highlights is the proposed construction of an Outer Ring Road, which will allow transit vehicles from neighboring countries like Togo to bypass Accra en route to Takoradi or Kumasi.
Additional road projects include:
Ongoing Adenta–Dodowa Road upgrade
- La–Teshie Link completion
- Tema Harbour–Motorway–General Hospital corridor
- Apolonia–Oyibi Road rehabilitation
- Expansion from Dahwenya to Afienya, and Afienya to Dodowa
- Upgrades to Doryumu–Dodowa and Ashaiman–Madina roads
Traditional Leaders Endorse Mahama’s Vision
Nungua Mantse and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, expressed confidence in Mahama’s leadership and commended the progress made under the “Reset Ghana” agenda.
