President John Mahama has announced plans to include the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the 48 Engineers Regiment in the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme as part of efforts to enhance the military’s internally generated funds.

According to the President, the move is intended to enable the Armed Forces, particularly the 48 Engineers Regiment, to actively participate in national development projects while generating revenue to support their operations.

President Mahama made the announcement during the Ghana Armed Forces’ end-of-year West African Social Activities (WASSA) held at the forecourt of the Public Relations Department of the GAF at Burma Camp.

“I’ve discussed this with the Chief of Defence Staff. In order to increase the internally generated funds of the Ghana Armed Forces, we are engaging the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ministry of Finance so that the 48 Engineers Regiment and the Ghana Army can participate in the Big Push projects we are implementing across the country,” the President said.

He further disclosed that equipment imported under the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) during the previous administration would be allocated to the 48 Engineers Regiment to facilitate their involvement in road construction projects.

“We shall allocate the DRIP equipment that were imported under the last administration to the 48 Engineers Regiment so that you can also participate in road construction and earn money for the Armed Forces,” President Mahama added.

The President noted that the initiative would not only strengthen the operational capacity of the military but also deepen its contribution to national development while ensuring sustainable funding for its activities.

President Mahama also cut the sod for the construction of a new accommodation project for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) as part of efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel and modernise barracks infrastructure.

The project forms part of a broader barracks regeneration strategy aimed at modernising housing units at Burma Camp.

Under the plan, existing low-rise structures will be replaced with high-rise residential buildings, a move expected to free up more than half of the current land space within the camp.

Construction is expected to begin with a self-help fundraising exercise scheduled for April this year, which will support the development of an initial 200 housing units at Burma Camp.

As part of the event, President Mahama also handed over a fleet of vehicles to the Ghana Armed Forces to enhance their operational capacity. The vehicles included pickup trucks, buses and Land Cruisers.

The ceremony was attended by the Finance Minister and Acting Defence Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong, along with other distinguished guests.