By Akanimo Sampson
Republic of Ghana is currently mobilising two billion US dollars for the development of railway infrastructure and services.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the development of the railway sector is at the heart of his administration, pointing out that it is for this reason that the administration is mobilising $2 billion for the sector.
Earlier this March while addressing the country’s Parliament on the State of the Nation, President Akufo-Addo said the establishment of the Ministry of Railway Development in his first term as President to see to the development of the railway sector is beginning to yield results.
‘’Government has rehabilitated a section of the narrow-gauge Western line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta to facilitate the haulage of manganese from Nsuta to the Takoradi Port, and also to provide a passenger rail service along the corridor”, he stated.
According to him, his administration has signed a contract worth five hundred million euros (€500 million) for the construction of a new standard gauge line from Manso to Huni Valley as well as the conversion of the narrow gauge tracks between Takoradi and Sekondi to standard gauge.
He said the project will also include the development of standard gauge tracks from the Takoradi station to the Takoradi Port to ensure efficient and effective access for cargo handling
Adding, he said, ”the development of the project will result in the construction of one hundred and two (102km) kilometers of rail tracks between the Port of Takoradi and Huni Valley.”
He also mentioned various contracts that had been signed for the construction of standard gauge railway lines which includes sections of the Western line from Kumasi to Kaase, Kaase to Eduadin, Eduadin to Obuasi, among others.
With regards to the Tema to Mpakadan rail project, he gave the status as eighty percent (80%) complete. He also indicated that the rehabilitation of the Railway Training School and two location workshops had been completed and the School of Railways and Infrastructural Development has been placed under the George Grant University of the Mines and Technology (UMaT).
The President recalled the School’s maiden Matriculation which was held on Saturday, 27th February 2021 at Essikado in the Western Region with over 200 students.
The School currently runs Bachelor of Science Degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Geomatic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Environment and Safety Engineering.
