The commissioning ceremony, held at the Tema Harbour on November 22, heralded the opening of Ghana’s first standard gauge railway, constructed at a cost of $447 million through a credit facility from India-Exim Bank.

Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the railway’s significance in addressing longstanding challenges in Ghana’s transportation sector.

“This historic achievement, the first-ever standard gauge railway line in Ghana, symbolises the bold strides we’re making to modernise our transport infrastructure and drive the economic growth of our nation,” the President said.

He emphasised the railway’s role in Ghana’s first multimodal transport system, integrating rail, road, and inland water transport to connect Tema Port with Buipe Port via the Volta Lake.

“By reducing our reliance on road transport, for long-distance freight and passenger movement, this railway line will address several critical challenges that have hindered Ghana’s development.

“It will decongest significantly our roads, alleviating the health burden that has led to severe traffic congestion, the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure, and an alarming increase in road accidents,” the President added.

President Akufo-Addo described the railway as a “lifeline” for communities and businesses, explaining that it would lower transportation costs, improve agricultural trade, and enhance port operations.

“The economic and social benefits of this project are far-reaching and transformative. By alleviating the pressure on our road network, we will extend the lifeline of critical routes, including those along the eastern corridor, while simultaneously lowering the cost of transporting bulk goods, agricultural produce, and containers, thereby enhancing business competitiveness.

“It will offer a reliable and cost-effective transportation alternative for passengers in areas currently underserved by road networks, ensuring greater accessibility and convenience,” he noted.

The project is expected to facilitate the seamless movement of goods such as fuel, cement, and agricultural produce while boosting port competitiveness by minimising vessel waiting times and improving cargo handling efficiency.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated his administration’s commitment to expanding Ghana’s railway network, guided by the revised 2020 Railway Master Plan.

“The Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Guided by our 2020 revised Railway Master Plan, we’ll continue to expand the reach of Ghana’s railway network to unlock the full potential of our economy.

“This is a vision that will require sustained investment, partnerships, and unwavering national wealth. As I commission this landmark project today, I’m filled with hope for the brighter future that lies ahead for our future. Together, let us continue to build an efficient, interconnected, and prosperous Ghana,” he said.

The President extended appreciation to the Indian government, local chiefs, and community members for their contributions and sacrifices during the project.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to the chiefs and people of the communities affected by this project. Your patience, cooperation, and sacrifices have been invaluable. As the ultimate beneficiaries of this infrastructure, I urge you to take pride in it and protect it for generations to come,” he stated.

President Akufo-Addo called for collective responsibility in maintaining the railway, stressing its importance as a national asset that empowers communities, invigorates businesses, and strengthens industries.

To this end, he has outlined ambitious plans to prioritise the development of three major railway lines, aiming to boost the nation’s transformation if he is elected President.

“One of my priorities in terms of infrastructure development is railway expansion,” Dr Bawumia told stakeholders of the Atwima Mponua Constituency at the start of his Ashanti Regional tour on Monday.

“This is very important for our country because if we are blessed with bauxite but lack sufficient railway lines, it creates a significant challenge. Developing our railways will greatly benefit Ghana,” he said.

“There are three main railway lines that I intend to focus on: from Tema in Greater Accra to Kumasi; then from Kumasi to Takoradi; and from Awaasi, through Nyinahin to Eduade. We will deliver these railway lines for you,” Dr Bawumia said, adding that the short-distance line from Adum to Akaase is also a railway project his government will address.

Dr Bawumia emphasised the importance of focusing on railway infrastructure, despite the ongoing construction of numerous kilometres of roads.

“We are building roads, and that work is still in progress, but I will also focus on railways because that is where real transformation will come from.”

“The railway is essential for our country. We will extend it from Accra through Kumasi to the north, enabling us to fully exploit our bauxite, iron ore, and other natural deposits. This is what will drive the transformation we need.”

The incident is said to have occurred on Monday, October 25, 2021.

3news reports that the deceased was part of an inspection team of management members on a tour of the Accra-Nsawam rail line.

A witness told Connect FM that Mr Asante was standing in the outer frontage of the train when they saw a naked electric wire across the route around Pokuase.

The deceased then jumped off the moving train in an attempt to avoid being entangled by the wire but was run over, killing him on the spot.

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Following the news of his demise, social media has been inundated with tributes in his honour.

The exercise took place on Thursday, May 27, 2021.

This comes on the back of a similar exercise which saw the demolition of illegal structures along the Graphic Road in Accra.

This forms part of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey’s ‘Let’s make Accra Work’ agenda which seeks to ensure the free flow of traffic and keep the city clean.

All these interventions are to ensure the attainment of the objective of the Akufo-Addo-led government to make Accra the cleanest city in West Africa.

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Mr Quartey, who is also the Ayawaso Central Member of Parliament, has already noted that although he is aware that measures being taken by his outfit to decongest the city will be greeted with lots of criticisms and backlash, tackling the issue of sanitation in Ghana remains a priority to him.

The final stage of the procurement process for the engagement of the private sector partner for the project is expected to be initiated by mid-April.

It is expected to reach financial closure by the end of November 2021 after successful negotiations and signing of the necessary agreements with the preferred private sector concessionaire, to pave way for the commencement of the physical construction works.

A statement, issued by the Ministry of Railway Development, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Mr Amewu together with his Burkina Faso counterpart Vincent Dabilgou, announced this at a media briefing in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

This was when he visited the country with a delegation from Ghana’s Railway Development Ministry and Ghana Railway Development Authority.

It said, with the delegation were some officials from the Transaction Advisory Consortium, Messrs TEAM Engineering and Vision Consult Ltd.

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The two countries agreed in 2018 to breakdown the development of the railway interconnectivity project into four distinct phases with the Feasibility Studies and Competitive Procurement Process for Private Partnership forming the first two phases.

It said the third phase would involve the Analysis of Technical Studies and Detailed Engineering Designs to be undertaken by the private sector Party.

It said commencement of Physical Construction would be the final phase of the project development.

Mr Amewu reiterated that the proposed railway corridor between the Tema Port and Ouagadougou will enable both countries to benefit from the huge economic potential given the enormous mineral deposits such as bauxite, manganese and iron ore along the corridor.

He assured the Government and people of Burkina Faso that the Government of Ghana is prepared to see to the realisation of an efficient and effective railway network that would facilitate the socio-economic growth of the two neighbouring countries.

Mr Vincent Dabilgou, the Burkina Faso Minister of Transport, Urban Mobility and Road Safety, said rail was more competitive as compared to road for the carriage of heavy products over long distances due to the cost and damage to roads and issues relating to road safety.

He noted that the project, which started as a concept, had progressed significantly with both countries finalizing and adopting Terms of Reference for the implementation of the railway interconnectivity project.

The statement said the two countries had agreed on the proposed route for the rail link which starts from Ouagadougou through Kombissiri, Manga, Béguédo, Garango, Tenkodog, Bagré-Pole, Zabré, Pô and ends at Dakola-Paga border link, a total distance of approximately 320 km.

It said Ghana section of the project, which forms part of the Eastern railway expansion along the Eastern corridor, was from Tema through Mpakadan, where a 97.9 km single standard gauge railway line is currently under construction with funding by an India Exim Bank loan facility of US$447.17.

It said the project was expected to completed by November 2021.

It said the line would continue from Mpakadan and would go through Kpeve, Hohoe, Jasikan, Nkwanta, Bimbila, Yendi, Tamale, Walewale, Bolgatanga, Navrongo and Paga.

It noted that the approved alignment also includes four branch lines from Asikuma to Ho, Nkwanta to Dambai, Bimbila to Sheini and Walewale to Nalerigu forming a total route length of approximately 782 km.

Mr Dabilgou was of the view that the construction of the railway between Burkina Faso and Ghana will lead to the improvement in the trade balance for both countries, through the facilitation of transport and optimisation of the operating cost of motor vehicles by shifting the overloads of the railway.

The statement said it would also stabilize cost of transportation leading to the reduction in the price of goods, the creation of 30,000 direct and indirect jobs while improving the flow of agricultural products from Bagré-Pole to the market and also improve mineral exports to the ports.

It said the two Ministers later signed a Communique’ after which they paid a courtesy call on Christophe Joseph Marie Dabre, Burkina Faso Prime Minister.

It has given the new date of April 11, 2020.

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The Managing Director, John Essel, in a statement explained the development follows a letter it received from the Railway Authority to enable the contractor, Amandi Holdings construct standard gauge along the line.

It expressed optimism the extended period will help the contractor achieve significant progress before the rainy season.

Read the statement below:

According to President Akufo-Addo, this is to revamp the sector which has deteriorated over the years since colonial rule ended in Ghana.

“The British left us a functioning railway system, we didn’t look after it, and we allowed it to deteriorate. For this part of the 21st century, a major responsibility is on you, on me, my successors, to rebuild the railway infrastructure in our country,” he said.

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President Akufo-Addo said this while addressing workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) at the Diesel Multiple Unit workshop shed in Tema as part of his tour of the Greater Accra region.

“It is obvious that rail transport is environmentally friendly, it is efficient, it is less costly and it is generally a more intelligent way of moving people and goods than any other form of transport.

“Other people have got first class railway systems in the world, Ghana we are going to have a first class railway system in our country,” President Akufo-Addo said confidently.

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Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, also in his remarks noted that by 2023, Ghana must have a viable railway sector that will meet the transportation needs of the citizenry.

He further indicated that over 10 coaches which were to be scrapped were being reformed by the hardworking GRCL workers.

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