The 2024 manifesto of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) promises a well-thought-through plan to develop the railway sector of the country.
The next government of the NPP, should Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia win the December 7, 2024 presidential election, plans to partner with private sector investors to boost the railway industry.
Page 25 of the NPP manifesto states that, the development of the railway sector will be based on “the Master Plan” focusing on the Western and Eastern lines. Through partnerships with private sector investors, develop the railway network across the country based on the Master Plan, with strategic focus on the Western and Eastern lines,” the manifesto read.
EXPAND INFRASTURCTURE
The policy on the railway forms part of the Bawumia-led NPP plan to expand public infrastructure from 2025, should the Ghanaian voters look with favour upon the party to break the eight.
The manifesto also states that the next NPP government will partner with the private sector to finance, build and rent or lease-to-own to the government’s public infrastructure, including schools, housing, water and roads, as well as equipment.
The NPP said it will revive and resource, including with modern equipment and state-of-the-art workshops, the Public Works Department (PWD) to be the primary government agency responsible for maintenance of public infrastructure across the country.
The party plans to “fully implement and expand” the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) to help maintain roads in their districts.
The Bawumia-led NPP says if it wins the 2024 elections, the government that will be formed will facilitate the establishment, by the private sector, of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Tamale Airport, to develop it into an aviation cargo, horticultural cargo and logistics hub.
The development of the Cape Coast Airport has found space in the 2024 manifesto of the NPP. It said should the NPP win the December polls, it will commence the development of the airport.
According to the manifesto, “funding has been secured under the Korean $2 billion facility.”
The manifesto further states that the NPP government will collaborate with the private sector to build an airport in the Upper East Region and also achieve universal access to electricity.
ACHIEVEMENT
The manifesto at page seven highlights the achievements of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government under the public infrastructure.
Among others, the government has “initiated or oversaw” the construction and rehabilitation of more railways than any other government since 1992.
The manifesto mentioned Achimota-Nsawam, Accra-Tema, Kojokrom-Tarkwa, Kojokrom-Manso and Tema-Mpakadan.
The manifesto said that the government has constructed fish landing sites at Axim, Dixcove, Moree, Mumford, Winneba, Senya Breku, Gomoa Fetteh, Teshie, Osu, Ekumfi and Mfantseman. They have also constructed two fishing harbours in Elmina and Jamestown.
The party’s manifesto said that the government has constructed 817 sanitation facilities, more than any other government since 1992.
“We have constructed more sports facilities than any other government since 1992. We have completed six multi-purpose sports stadiums and four ongoing in each of the ten old regions; completed the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon; built multi-purpose sports facilities at Borteyman for the African Games and increased public AstroTurfs in Ghana from 3 in 2016 to 150, with many more at various stages of development,” the manifesto stated.
