The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has officially handed over the cleared Right-of-Way for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway to the Government of Ghana, marking a major milestone towards the construction of the six-lane highway.
The handover took place on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Kwaso near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, following the successful completion of a 175.6-kilometre clearing exercise by the Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
President John Dramani Mahama had in April 2026 tasked the military to clear the Right-of-Way and undertake early works for the project within 20 weeks.
The Engineers Regiment, however, completed the assignment in 19 weeks, finishing one week ahead of schedule.
The cleared route stretches from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewa in the Ashanti Region, passing through forested areas and crossing several rivers and streams.
At the handover ceremony, President Mahama commended the Ghana Armed Forces for what he described as a significant achievement.
“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.
GAF to Receive National Honour
President Mahama announced that the Engineers Regiment would be honoured at the next National Honours ceremony in recognition of its performance on the project.
He said the ceremony would form part of activities marking Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence.
The Engineers Regiment is expected to receive the Order of the Companion of the Volta for its contribution to the project.
The President expressed the nation’s appreciation to the Armed Forces, particularly the military engineers, for completing the demanding assignment ahead of schedule.
Military to Support Construction
Following the successful Right-of-Way clearance, President Mahama directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to incorporate the Engineers Regiment as a major subcontractor to the main contractor during the construction of the expressway.
He said the decision was informed by the military’s technical expertise and the level of mobilisation it had already demonstrated.
The Armed Forces will also be deployed to clear the Right-of-Way for the proposed Greater Accra Orbital Road.
Additionally, President Mahama said the military would assist with the installation of steel bridges at various locations across the country.
“We have a lot of steel components that we imported to bridge various streams and rivers across the country,” he said.
Construction to Begin Before Christmas
The completion and handover of the Right-of-Way brings the Accra-Kumasi Expressway closer to its construction phase.
President Mahama announced that the government expects to cut the sod for construction before Christmas 2026.
The government has already begun the process of selecting a contractor after issuing an Expression of Interest to interested companies.
President Mahama further disclosed that US$2 billion had been set aside to finance the project, with the funds being held in a special account at the Bank of Ghana.
The planned Accra-Kumasi Expressway will cover 198.7 kilometres and feature six lanes, eight interchanges, four rest stops, tow trucks and CCTV cameras.
