The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) against resuming train services without resolving outstanding labour concerns, particularly the unpaid salaries of railway workers.
The warning follows an announcement by the Authority that passenger services on the Tema-Mpakadan corridor will resume on October 1, 2025.
At a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah condemned what he described as the government’s disregard for the plight of workers who have gone 12 months without salaries. He said it would be unjust to resume operations when the basic welfare of the workers had not been addressed.
“This press conference is about Ghana Railway Company Limited, a company wholly owned by the government of Ghana.
“As you may already be aware, it’s been 12 solid months since the workers of the company were paid. Just imagine the situation of a worker and their families in today’s Ghana without a salary for 12 calendar months”
Joshua Ansah, TUC Secretary-General
The TUC leader cautioned the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Railway Development Authority, stressing that any “unholy” attempt to run the new service without the Ghana Railway Company Limited, which is the operator, would be unacceptable. “We will resist any attempt to sideline the Ghana Railway Company Limited,” Ansah warned.
His remarks echoed frustrations expressed by the Railway Workers Union of Ghana (RWU), which has threatened to ground operations and embark on a nationwide protest on September 30 if the government fails to settle more than a year’s arrears.
In a petition to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, the Union stated that prolonged neglect of workers’ welfare had forced families into severe social and economic hardship.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr. Frederick Appoh, revealed that train services along the Tema-Mpakadan corridor would resume on October 1.
He assured that challenges which had previously halted operations, including infrastructure defects and land encroachment, had been resolved.
According to Dr. Appoh, the Authority is committed to restoring services to improve connectivity and boost economic activity. However, the TUC insists that addressing labour concerns must be the government’s priority before any resumption.
Government-Promised Resolution
This development comes after Transport Minister Hon. Joseph Nikpe assured that the government is working to resolve the outstanding salary arrears of railway workers.
The Minister acknowledged and revealed that though the railway sector has “suffered years of neglect,” weakening its ability to generate revenue and sustain operations, President Mahama has shown commitment to revitalise it to meet demand.
He explained that the Ghana Railway Company’s dwindling capacity had limited its internal revenue generation, making it difficult to pay salaries and cover operational costs. The Ministry of Finance, he noted, had been engaged to secure a sustainable financial arrangement.
“We feel for the workers, and we are getting close to getting them their salaries,” the Minister added, assuring that government remains committed to the welfare of employees.
Beyond the salary issue, Mr. Nikpe revealed that the Ministry of Transport is collaborating with the Lands Commission and security agencies to reclaim encroached railway lands. He said this was essential for expanding projects and granting contractors access to construction sites.
The standoff between the government, the railway workers, and their unions reflects the deeper challenges facing Ghana’s railway sector.
While the planned resumption of passenger services on the Tema-Mpakadan corridor signals progress, the TUC has made it clear that the operation will not be sustainable if workers’ grievances remain unresolved.
READ MORE: Dallas ICE Facility Shooting Leaves One Dead, Two Injured
