48 Engineers Regiment to receive national honour for expressway work

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to confer a national honour on the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces after it completed the clearing of the route for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway ahead of schedule.

The regiment cleared 175.6 kilometres of the proposed route in 19 weeks, one week earlier than the 20-week deadline.

President Mahama made the announcement on Monday, September 14, 2026, when the Ghana Armed Forces handed over the cleared route to the Government ahead of construction.

“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,” he said.

The President said the cleared route runs from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region.

He noted that the work involved clearing through forested areas and crossing rivers and streams.

“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.

In recognition of the regiment’s work, President Mahama said it would receive the Order of the Companion of the Volta at the next national honours ceremony.

The ceremony is expected to coincide with Ghana’s 70th Independence anniversary celebrations.

“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.

President Mahama said the military’s work was an important part of the preparatory phase of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project.

The planned expressway is expected to cover 198.7 kilometres and provide a six-lane connection between Accra and Kumasi.