Ghana Armed Forces to Serve as Major Subcontractor on Accra-Kumasi Expressway
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Roads and Highways to incorporate the Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces as a major subcontractor for the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.
The directive follows the successful completion of the clearance of 175.6 kilometres of the right-of-way for the project by the Ghana Armed Forces, one week ahead of the 20-week deadline.
Speaking at the handing over of the cleared right-of-way at Kwaso in the Ashanti Region, President Mahama said the military’s performance in preparing the route demonstrated its capacity to contribute directly to the construction of the expressway.
“I have asked the Minister of Roads and Highways to incorporate the Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, as the major subcontractor to the main contractor on this Accra-Kumasi Expressway,” he said.
President Mahama said the Armed Forces had been tasked on April 22, 2026, to clear the roadway and undertake early works for the project, with the assignment expected to be completed within 20 weeks.
He commended the Engineers Regiment for completing the task in 19 weeks, describing the achievement as a demonstration of the military’s engineering capabilities.
From Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region, the military engineers cleared a 175.6-kilometre stretch through forests and across rivers and streams to prepare the route for the construction of the expressway.
President Mahama expressed appreciation to the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the Engineer Corps, for the work done and announced that the Regiment would be recognised at the next National Honours ceremony to mark Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence.
He said the military’s involvement would not be limited to the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.
President Mahama disclosed that he had also directed the Minister for Roads and Highways to deploy the Engineers Regiment to establish and clear the right-of-way for the Greater Accra Orbital Road.
He further announced plans to involve the Armed Forces in the installation of steel bridges across rivers and streams in various parts of the country.
“We have a lot of steel components that we imported to bridge various streams and rivers across the country. And I know that as sappers, you are experts at building bridges,” he said.
The President said the Ministry of Roads and Highways had been asked to identify sites requiring steel bridges and work with the Ghana Armed Forces to install them across the country.
He recalled the role played by the Armed Forces in opening up the Donkorkrom Road into the Afram Plains during the PNDC era, noting that the military had previously demonstrated its ability to undertake major infrastructure works.
“The Ghana Armed Forces is capable and I have absolute trust in their ability to help this country in its infrastructure development,” President Mahama said.
He said Government would increasingly involve the Armed Forces in civilian development activities, including road construction, building projects and agriculture.
President Mahama also announced that US$2 billion had been set aside for the financing of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, with the funds held in a special account at the Bank of Ghana.
He said the money was Ghana’s own resources and had not been borrowed externally, assuring that funding would not be an obstacle when construction begins.
The 198.7-kilometre six-lane expressway is expected to reduce the current travelling distance between Accra and Kumasi by nearly 70 kilometres and cut travel time from about five to six hours to approximately two hours.
The President said Government expected to complete the procurement process and return to Kwaso before Christmas to cut the sod for construction to begin.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
