President John Dramani Mahama has named the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces as a major sub-contractor for the construction of the new Accra-Kumasi Expressway.
The decision forms part of government’s preparations to move the major road infrastructure project into its next phase, with the military engineering unit already playing a role in preparatory works.
The 48 Engineer Regiment has been tasked with clearing portions of the right-of-way required for the construction of the expressway. As of September 14, 2026, the Regiment had reportedly cleared approximately 175.6 kilometres of the project’s right-of-way.
The President has also directed the Regiment to begin preparations for the clearing of the right-of-way for another major road project, the proposed New Accra Orbital.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is one of the government’s major infrastructure projects and is expected to significantly improve transportation between the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions.
The planned highway is expected to be a six-lane, access-controlled expressway designed to provide a faster and safer alternative for motorists travelling between Accra and Kumasi.
Government has indicated that about US$1.7 billion has been secured for the project, with the funds reportedly placed in a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana to support the implementation of the project.
President Mahama has previously highlighted the potential impact of the expressway on travel between Ghana’s two major economic centres. According to the President, the project could reduce the journey between Accra and Kumasi from approximately five hours to about two hours when completed.
The involvement of the 48 Engineer Regiment is expected to support the early stages of the project, particularly in preparing the route and making the required land corridor available for construction.
Military engineering units have historically been involved in infrastructure-related activities, including road construction, rehabilitation and other projects requiring specialised engineering support. The Regiment’s participation is therefore expected to complement the work of other contractors involved in the expressway project.
The Accra-Kumasi route is one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors, carrying large volumes of passenger and commercial traffic every day. The development of a modern expressway is expected to improve connectivity, reduce congestion and enhance the movement of people and goods between communities along the route.
The project is also being viewed as an important part of efforts to improve Ghana’s road network and support economic activity by reducing travel times and transportation costs.
With the right-of-way clearing already underway, attention is now expected to focus on the subsequent stages of the project, including construction and the development of the necessary infrastructure along the route.
The government’s decision to involve the 48 Engineer Regiment marks another step towards the implementation of the long-awaited Accra-Kumasi Expressway, which is expected to become one of the country’s most significant road infrastructure projects when completed.
Source: Thepressradio.com
