Transport minister outlines plans to revive Ghana’s railway sector

The Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has outlined plans to revamp Ghana’s railway sector by operationalizing dormant rail lines and addressing pressing challenges affecting the industry.

Speaking on the state of the rail sector, the minister emphasized President Mahama government’s commitment to partnering with investors to rejuvenate the railway system. This, he believes, will play a critical role in reducing traffic congestion and facilitating the transport of heavy cargo, gas, and other essential goods to key locations such as ports.

According to him, Ghana once boasted a railway network stretching over 947 kilometers during independence. However, this has drastically reduced to just about 66 kilometers of functional lines.

This decline he said has impacted the efficient transport of resources such as manganese to the ports. To address this, he noted that the ministry is exploring new strategies to enhance the railway infrastructure, including plans to revive the Tamale and Paga rail systems, which are currently non-operational.

He expressed that the western rail lines, in particular, remain a focus of rehabilitation efforts, but the sector faces significant setbacks, including damages caused by illegal mining activities along the railway corridors. These activities he said have disrupted operations and pose a threat to ongoing development projects.

The minister revealed that he has engaged the National Security to address the issue, aiming to prevent further damage to the rail infrastructure and mitigate financial losses.

Additionally, the minister revealed that he has tasked the newly appointed CEO and management team of the Ghana Railway Company with identifying and engaging stakeholders responsible for encroachments along railway lines. This, he believes, will ensure the free movement of personnel and trains while creating a conducive environment for the rail sector to thrive.