The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has handed over the 175.6-kilometre cleared right-of-way to the Ministry of Roads and Highways for construction to begin on the Accra – Kumasi Expressway.
The project will be Ghana’s first six-lane, access-controlled tolled expressway, designed for speeds up to 120km/h and expected to cut travel time between the two cities by 50 per cent.
The Expressway will run through Adeiso, Asamankese, Akyem Oda, Ofoase and Kwaso, with three major bridges over the Birim and Pra rivers and eight interchanges along the route.
It will be managed by Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, a special purpose vehicle set up by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The handover was done on Monday, September 15, 2026, after the 48 Engineer Regiment cleared 183.6km within 19 weeks, exceeding the initial 175.6km target.
President John Dramani Mahama, at the handover ceremony commended the military for the work and announced that the Engineer Regiment will serve as major sub-contractor for the project.
“I have asked the Minister of Roads and Highways to incorporate the Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces as the major sub-contractor to the main contractor on this Accra-Kumasi Expressway,” President Mahama said.
He also directed the Ministry to deploy the regiment to establish and clear the right-of-way for the Greater Accra Ring Road project.
“The Ghana Armed Forces are capable, and I have absolute trust in their ability to help this country in its infrastructural development. Going forward, we are going to involve you more in civilian activities, especially in road and building construction, as well as in agriculture,” he added.
President Mahama said US$2 billion has been secured in a special account for the project, with the figure expected to reach $4 billion by end of year to fully finance the work.
“When the project starts, money is not going to be a challenge. All certificates presented by the contractor will be paid instantly,” he said.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said the Accra – Kumasi corridor carries a disproportionate share of national traffic and requires a long-term solution beyond patching the existing N6 highway.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, on his side, said the Expressway will be the first project to be reviewed by the Value for Money Office to ensure every cedi spent delivers value.
The Director of Engineering Services of GAF, Brigadier-General Jonas Wiafe, said the first tranche of compensation has been paid to 469 affected farmers, with amounts ranging from GH¢1,500 to GH¢350,000 based on valuation data from the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
Accra-Kumasi Expressway project: GAF hands over 175.6km right-of-way today
