The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has commissioned the 100-kilometre Tema-Mpakadan standard gauge railway lines and two Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains.
Commissioning the project, President Akufo-Addo said, “It has been a long time coming, but I’m very happy to be here today to commission a project of transformative significance to our homeland, Ghana.”
The project, commissioned on Friday, November 22, 2024 in Tema, was financed through an India Exim Bank credit facility at a cost of US$447 million. It includes a 300-meter railway bridge.
President Akufo-Addo told the gathering at the commissioning ceremony that the railway project would significantly reduce travel time and cost.
“They are the linchpin for reducing the cost of doing business and fostering regional integration,” the President remarked.
He added that the global conviction motivated his government, through the Ministry of Railways Development in 2017, to set out to design and execute policies and programs to build a modern railway system.
However, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that the erstwhile Kufuor government placed railway development at the forefront of its agenda.
According to the president, the aim of the NPP government to develop an integrated rail network was to enhance the movement of goods and people.
ACHIEVEMENT
The President highlighted some of the key achievements undertaken since 2017 to revive the railway infrastructure in Ghana.
He mentioned 66km marrow gauge Western Line Rehabilitation from Kojokrom to Tarkwa, to enhance manganese haulage.
He said the government in 2018 initiated the 22km Kojokrom to Manso standard gauge section.
Also, he said the government was financing the development of another 6 km standard gauge line from Adum to Kaase, thereby extending the capacity of the Western Line further.
“Today, however, we gather to celebrate the completion of the Tema-Mpakadan railway line. A vital component of Ghana’s first multimodal transport system.
“This 100-kilometre railway system complements a visionary transport system that integrates rail, road and inland water transport, connecting Tema Port to Buipe Port, via the Volta Lake,” the President stated.
SIGNIFICANCE
He said the railway line will address several critical challenges that have hindered Ghana’s development by reducing the reliance on road transport and long-distance freight and passenger movement.
The President believes the railway line would decongest the roads in the country and alleviate the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure.
He indicated that the new line will enhance port operations at Tema, minimising vessel waiting times and container dwelling times, and in effect make the Tema port competitive.
INVESTMENT
The Minister for Railway Development, Peter Amewu, stated that the railway line is the longest single rail project government had completed since independence.
“The government, Mr. President, has since 2017 been investing in the development of local capacity to maintain and sustain the rail system for the benefit of future generations.
“Following the upgrade of the old railway training school in Sekondi in 2020, the facility has since 2021 begun the academic year, providing training to over 1,000 youthful Ghanaians and other nations from and within the sub-region.
The school now awards degrees and certificates to successful graduates through collaborative effort by the Ministry of Railway Development and the Ministry of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa,” he said.
According to Peter Amewu, the vision of the government was to modernise and equip the facility for it to become a one-stop shop to service the rail, mining, petroleum, agriculture and other ancillary industries within Ghana.
CLARION CALL
The Chief Executive Officer, Yaw Owusu, indicated that typically railway track has a lifespan of 100 years if it is well maintained and protected.
“I am, therefore, making a clarion call to citizens, security agents, and especially the community in the proximity of the Tema-Mpakadan line to be vigilant to protect such a huge investment and valuable asset for future generations,” he pleaded.
