By Bright Ntramah
“This project has proof of what is possible when vision, commitment and hard work align. As president, I pledged to prioritize the revival and expansion of Ghana’s railway sector and today, we take another giant leap forward in fulfilling that promise,” President Akufo-Addo stated as he commissioned the Tema Mpakadan standard Guage Railway line and the Diesel Multiple Unit trains at a cost of 447 million dollars.
The 97-kilometer railway line complements a visionary transport system that integrates rail, road and inland water transport, connecting Teman port to Buipe port via the Volta Lake. President Akufo-Addo noted that the railway line will address several critical challenges that have hindered Ghana’s development.
The Tema Mpakadan railway line was commenced in 2017 by Abcon Construction Limited with an amount of 447 million dollars. The scope of the project involved the design and construction of over 97 kilometers of single standard gauge line from Tema to Mpakadan. The other components of the project include the real head facility at Tema and Mpakadan, the maintenance yard, equipment, freight yard signaling and telecommunication as well as a 300-meter real bridge over road, the first of its kind in Africa.
A new road over the bridge at Afienya on the Tema Akosombo Highway has also been completed under the real project in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Highways and Ghana Highway Authority. The bridge has been designed and constructed as a four-lane dual carriage route to accommodate the expansion of the Tema Akosombo Highway.
The stations have been fitted with modern facilities to enhance passenger comfort. The trains have been fitted with air-conditioning, WiFi on demand and toilets. The Minister of Railway Development, John Peter Amewu noted that the government since 2017 has invested in the development of local capacity to maintain and sustain the rail system for the benefit of future generations.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Railway Development Authority, Yaw Owusu, called on all to help protect the railway lines.
President Akufo-Addo explained that rail transport will decongest roads, alleviating the heavy burden that has led to severe traffic congestion, the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure and an alarming increase in road accidents. It will enhance the efficiency of port operations at Tema, minimizing vessel waiting times and container dwelling times, thereby bootstrapping the competitiveness of our ports.
President Akufo-Addo and his entourage took a test drive of the newly inaugurated trains from the Tema railway station to Afienya and back to Tema within forty-five minutes.
