The Accra–Kumasi Expressway project is moving steadily towards its next phase, with the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers clearing 170 kilometres of the 176-kilometre corridor earmarked for the proposed highway.
Only six kilometres remain to be cleared, putting the military-led right-of-way operation at about 97% completion ahead of its planned handover to the Ministry of Roads and Highways between September 14 and 18, 2026.
The Ghana Armed Forces announced the progress in a video posted on X, describing the operation as “The Race to Sawua” and saying the finish line is now in sight.
“The finish line is in sight. Out of 176 kilometres of challenging terrain, just 6 KM REMAIN!”
The Engineers were tasked with clearing a 120-metre-wide right-of-way through dense forests, farms, ancestral lands and communities along the proposed route.
The military said four engineering gangs were deployed simultaneously across the corridor, working day and night despite difficult terrain and torrential rains.
The operation began on April 23, 2026, with an initial 20-week timeline. By July, the Engineers had cleared more than 108 kilometres, representing 61% of the corridor, before accelerating to 156 kilometres, or 89%, shortly afterwards.
The latest progress leaves the team with just six kilometres to complete the assigned corridor.
On August 31, 2026, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Army Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Policy and Plans, and Director General of the Department of Engineer Services conducted a final inspection of the project.
The inspection was to confirm arrangements for the completion of the remaining works and the eventual handover to the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
Addressing the Engineers, the Chief of the Defence Staff commended their performance and urged them to maintain their momentum.
“Your resilience, professionalism that you have exhibited over the period, finish strongly with it,” he said.
He said the exercise had demonstrated the capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces to deploy its specialised expertise in support of national development.
“For the CDS-NWI, the military hierarchy, these particular projects have sent us some strong message that the Ghana Armed Forces is not only capable of defending the territorial integrity of our nation, by giving the opportunity, we can use our knowledge, our specialized skills and capabilities in support of national development. That is exactly what you have done.”
He further expressed the hope that the experience would create opportunities for the Ghana Army Engineers and other military institutions to undertake more civil-related projects.
The proposed Accra–Kumasi Expressway is a major infrastructure project under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration and forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure development agenda.
The project is intended to provide a modern high-speed alternative to the existing Accra–Kumasi highway, improve connectivity between communities, reduce travel times and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
President Mahama has made the expressway one of the flagship infrastructure projects of his administration, with government pursuing feasibility studies, design works and financing arrangements ahead of full construction.
Government has secured US$1.7 billion for the project, with the funds ring-fenced for construction after the main contract is awarded.
The military’s current assignment involves clearing the right-of-way, laying the groundwork for feasibility studies, engineering designs and subsequent construction.
The Ghana Armed Forces says the operation is expected to be completed within 19 weeks, one week ahead of the original 20-week timeline.
