Mahama tasks GAF Engineers to join Accra-Kumasi Expressway construction

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), particularly the Engineers Regiment, to participate in the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.

The directive follows the successful completion of the clearing of the project’s Right-of-Way by the Armed Forces, a task the President said was completed ahead of schedule.

Speaking at the official handover of the cleared Right-of-Way at Kwaso, near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, on Monday, September 14, 2026, President Mahama said the military’s performance had demonstrated its capacity to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s infrastructure development.

The Ghana Armed Forces was tasked in April 2026 to clear the roadway and undertake early works for the project within 20 weeks.

However, the Engineers Regiment completed the assignment in 19 weeks, clearing 175.6 kilometres of the planned route from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region.

“Within 19 weeks, 175.6 kilometres of road passing through virgin forests, crossing rivers and streams, our Ghana Armed Forces can today announce to all of us, as they say in military jargon, mission accomplished,” he said.

Following the successful exercise, President Mahama said he had instructed the Minister of Roads and Highways to incorporate the Engineers Regiment as a major subcontractor to the main contractor for the construction of the expressway.

“There are further tasks that I will give the Engineers Regiment because of the state of your mobilisation on this road. It only makes sense that you must participate in the construction of the expressway,” President Mahama said.

“I’ve asked the Minister of Roads and Highways to incorporate the Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces as the major subcontractor to the contractor on this Accra-Kumasi Expressway,” he added.

Military to Clear Greater Accra Orbital Road

President Mahama further tasked the Ghana Armed Forces to undertake preparatory works on another major road project.

He said the Minister of Roads and Highways had been directed to deploy the Engineers Regiment to establish and clear the Right-of-Way for the proposed Greater Accra Orbital Road.

The President said the military’s involvement in major infrastructure projects would extend beyond the Accra-Kumasi Expressway to other areas, including road construction, bridge construction and agriculture.

He also directed the Roads and Highways Ministry to involve the Armed Forces in the installation of steel bridges across the country.

“We have a lot of steel components that we imported to bridge various streams and rivers across the country,” he said.

“I’ve asked the Minister of Roads and Highways to identify all the sites that need steel bridges and I’ve asked him to involve the Ghana Armed Forces to install these steel bridges across the length and breadth of this country,” he added.

Mahama Defends Military’s Capacity

President Mahama said the decision to involve the Armed Forces in infrastructure development was based on confidence in their technical capacity and past performance.

He recalled the role played by the military during the PNDC era in opening up parts of the Afram Plains when civilian contractors were unable to undertake the road works.

“The Ghana Armed Forces are capable and I have absolute trust in their ability to help this country in its infrastructure development,” he said.

He added that the government would increasingly involve the military in civilian development activities where its expertise could be effectively deployed.

“As time goes, we’re going to involve you more in civilian activities, road construction, buildings, agriculture, and many other tasks that we will give you,” President Mahama said.

Expressway Construction Expected Before Christmas

President Mahama said the government expects construction of the 198.7-kilometre, six-lane Accra-Kumasi Expressway to begin before Christmas.

He disclosed that US$2 billion had been set aside for the project and was being held in a special account at the Bank of Ghana.

The President said the funding was Ghana’s own money and had not been sourced through external borrowing.

He also expressed confidence that the availability of funds would ensure that certified payments to the contractor would be made promptly once construction begins.