Soldiers Do What Politicians Couldn’t Do – Ghanaians Say Give Them The Whole Accra-Kumasi Road

The Ghana Armed Forces has attracted widespread praise following the impressive progress made in clearing the corridor for the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway, with many Ghanaians calling on the government to entrust the military with the entire construction project.

The 48th Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Army was assigned the responsibility of clearing the right-of-way for the 198.7-kilometre expressway. The soldiers have reportedly made significant progress within a relatively short period, completing work that many expected would take considerably longer.

Initial reports indicated that the military had cleared approximately 89.5 kilometres of the proposed route, representing about 50.9 per cent of the total distance. However, subsequent updates revealed that the soldiers had extended their work to more than 122 kilometres, with the remaining sections expected to be cleared shortly.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who is also serving as acting Defence Minister, commended the Ghana Armed Forces for their performance. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the 48th Engineers Regiment, describing their contribution to the project as impressive.

The proposed expressway is one of Ghana’s major infrastructure projects, with an estimated cost of $4 billion. Once completed, it is expected to reduce the distance between Accra and Kumasi from approximately 270 kilometres to 198 kilometres. The journey is also projected to take roughly two hours, significantly improving transportation between the country’s two major cities.

The military’s performance has generated considerable reactions on social media, where many Ghanaians have questioned why soldiers cannot be given responsibility for constructing the entire road. Some believe their efficiency, discipline and ability to complete assignments within deadlines make them a better option than conventional contractors.

Their arguments are influenced by concerns about abandoned infrastructure projects, delayed construction and poor-quality roads. Several Ghanaians have expressed frustration over projects awarded to both local and foreign contractors that sometimes experience lengthy delays or deteriorate shortly after completion.

Supporters of the proposal believe involving the military in the full construction process could reduce expenses, improve accountability and ensure that more project funds remain within the country.

Meanwhile, the government has dismissed claims that GH¢11 billion has already been spent on the expressway without meaningful construction work. The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department clarified that the military’s right-of-way clearing exercise is a preparatory activity financed separately from the main project.

The government has also established Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited to oversee the principal construction project, with the aim of preventing funding difficulties and unnecessary cost overruns.

Despite these explanations, many Ghanaians remain convinced that the military has demonstrated its capacity to deliver major infrastructure assignments. They believe the impressive progress achieved so far should encourage the government to consider giving the soldiers a greater role in the expressway’s construction.

https://x.com/gh_first_always/status/2119540679605121464?a=STKwFWPZk-Jv8BuZPK8&s=20

Onlineday feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com