President Mahama announces national honour for GAF Engineers over Accra-Kumasi Expressway feat

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to confer a national honour on the Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for its role in clearing the Right-of-Way for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.

President Mahama said the Engineers Regiment would be recognised at the next National Honours ceremony, expected to form part of activities marking Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence.

He made the announcement on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Kwaso near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, during the official handover of the cleared Right-of-Way for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.

The President commended the military engineers for completing the demanding assignment one week ahead of schedule.

The Ghana Armed Forces was given 20 weeks to clear the Right-of-Way and undertake preliminary works for the project. However, the Engineers Regiment completed the assignment in 19 weeks.

According to President Mahama, the team cleared 175.6 kilometres of the route, stretching from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewa 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.

In recognition of the achievement, President Mahama said he had directed that the Engineers Regiment be honoured at the next National Honours ceremony.

“And indeed, 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 announced.

He described the achievement as significant and expressed the appreciation of the nation to the military personnel who participated in the exercise.

“I wish to express the appreciation of a grateful nation to our Ghana Armed Forces, especially the Engineers Regiment, for this great accomplishment,” President Mahama said.

President Mahama said the successful completion of the Right-of-Way clearing demonstrated the capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces to undertake major infrastructure-related assignments.

He recalled the military’s previous involvement in opening up difficult areas of the country, including its role in road construction during the PNDC era.

The President said he had “absolute trust” in the ability of the Armed Forces to contribute to Ghana’s infrastructure development.

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

President Mahama subsequently announced additional responsibilities for the Engineers Regiment.

He directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to incorporate the military engineers as a major subcontractor to the main contractor for the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.

He also tasked the Armed Forces with clearing the Right-of-Way for the proposed Greater Accra Orbital Road.

Additionally, he said the military would be involved in installing steel bridges across the country, leveraging its engineering expertise.

President Mahama said the government would increasingly involve the Armed Forces in civilian development activities, including road construction, building projects and agriculture.

“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,” he said.

The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is planned as a 198.7-kilometre, six-lane highway intended to reduce travel time between Ghana’s two largest cities and improve the movement of people and goods.