A viral video showing the extensive damage to a section of the Tarkwa–Takoradi railway line at Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality has prompted a swift high-level inspection on Monday by the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson; the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Issah Salifu Taylor and a National Security Liaison Officer.
During the visit, officials observed that illegal miners popularly known as ‘Galamseyers” had dug out the entire foundation beneath a railway bridge, leaving the metal tracks hanging dangerously in mid-air.
In some sections, the embankment had completely collapsed into water bodies after the rails were removed.
Visibly disturbed by the situation, Mr. Nelson urged traditional authorities to take charge of their communities and called on the Ghana Railways Authority (GRA) to step up patrols to prevent further destruction.
However, some residents blamed the Ghana Railways Authority for the situation. They alleged that two officers from the Authority had informed them that the new standard-gauge railway line under construction would not pass through Akyem, which emboldened the illegal miners.
Following the Regional Minister, MP for Tarkwa and National Security inspection of the damage caused to the rail line by the illegal miners, twelve individuals have been arrested in connection with the damage.
They were expected to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court yesterday, Tuesday, October 7, for allegedly causing extensive damage to the section of the Tarkwa–Takoradi railway line at Akyem.
The damaged narrow-gauge railway line, operated by the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) is a critical route for transporting manganese from Tarkwa to the Takoradi Port for export by the Ghana Railway Company (GRC) where bulk of the company’s revenue comes from.
Illegal mining activities have severely undermined the line’s foundation, posing serious risks to operations and national revenue.
Meanwhile, the youth and community members have initiated steps to reclaim the encroached areas.
Assistant Superintendent of Tracks at the GRC, Sampson Nyame, revealed that monitoring has become extremely difficult due to the breakdown of the only rail car used for patrols.
ASP Den-Ben Eden Selassie, Operational Commander of the Western Central Police Command, who briefed the Regional Minister, confirmed the arrest of twelve suspects in connection with the damage.
He added that they will be arraigned before the Tarkwa Circuit Court as earlier indicated.
