President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to confer a national honour on the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces for completing the clearing of the route for the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway ahead of schedule. Editorial Standards
The military engineering unit completed the 175.6-kilometre route-clearing exercise in 19 weeks, finishing one week earlier than the scheduled 20-week deadline.
The achievement has been described as a significant milestone in preparations for one of Ghana’s major planned road infrastructure projects.
President Mahama announced the intended honour on Monday, September 14, 2026, during a ceremony at which the Ghana Armed Forces handed over the cleared route to the government. The handover marks the completion of the military’s assigned preparatory work ahead of the next stages of the expressway project.
Speaking at the event, the President commended the Engineers Regiment for delivering the assignment within a shorter period than initially anticipated.“In 20 weeks, I’m pleased to announce to the whole country Ghana that our armed forces have accomplished this mission. One week ahead of schedule, they did it in 19 weeks,” President Mahama said. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The cleared route stretches from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region.
According to the President, the exercise involved challenging terrain, including forested areas, rivers and streams, requiring considerable logistical planning and engineering effort.
“From Ablekuma in Greater Accra to Sewua in 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.
The route-clearing exercise forms part of the preparatory phase for the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway, a project intended to improve road connectivity between Ghana’s two major urban centres.
The planned expressway is expected to cover approximately 198.7 kilometres and provide a six-lane connection between Accra and Kumasi.
The project is expected to have implications for transportation, trade, logistics and regional economic activity.
Accra and Kumasi serve as major commercial and administrative centres, while the corridor connecting them supports the movement of passengers, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other commodities.
A modern expressway along the corridor could help improve travel efficiency, strengthen links between communities and support the movement of goods.
However, the extent of these benefits will depend on the successful completion of subsequent project stages, including detailed design, financing, construction, safety infrastructure and long-term maintenance. Corrections Policy
President Mahama said the military’s contribution was critical to preparing the route for the planned road development.
The use of the Ghana Armed Forces for the clearing exercise reflects the role military engineering units can play in supporting national infrastructure initiatives, particularly where projects require specialised equipment, disciplined logistical coordination and work across difficult terrain.
In recognition of the regiment’s performance, the President announced that the unit would receive a national honour at the next national honours ceremony.
“I have given instructions that at the next national honours, which we shall do to mark the 70th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Ghana, the engineers regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces shall receive an Order of the Companion of the Volta,” he said.
The Order of the Companion of the Volta is among Ghana’s national honours and is awarded in recognition of distinguished service to the nation.
The proposed award would place the regiment’s contribution within the broader context of national service and public infrastructure development.
The announcement is also expected to draw attention to the importance of recognising technical and operational contributions to national projects.
While public infrastructure discussions often focus on financing, contractors and construction timelines, preparatory activities such as route clearing, surveying and access development are essential to creating the conditions for construction to begin.
The handover of the cleared route does not, by itself, signify that construction of the expressway has been completed or that the full project is operational.
Further details on the construction timetable, financing arrangements, contractors and implementation phases will be important as the government advances the project.
For now, the completion of the route-clearing assignment represents a defined achievement for the 48 Engineers Regiment.
Finishing the work in 19 weeks, against a planned 20-week schedule, has earned the unit presidential commendation and a proposed national honour as Ghana prepares for the next phase of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project.