Transport Minister Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe has reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s determination to revitalise the railway sub-sector, describing it as a once-vibrant component of Ghana’s transport system that has suffered years of neglect.
Presenting at the Government Accountability Series, he said the sector is central to modernisation efforts that aim to expand infrastructure for freight and passenger services, create jobs, stimulate local economies, and boost trade.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the railway sub-sector, once a vital part of our transportation network, has suffered neglect, and President John is committed to revitalizing it to meet the growing demands”
Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Transport Minister
The Minister of Transport confirmed that the 97-kilometre Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line, a critical part of the multimodal transport system linking the Tema Port to the Buipe Port through the Volta Lake, has been completed.
The line is expected to strengthen trade corridors and ease the pressure on roads once freight services become fully operational. According to the Minister, its viability, however, depends on investment in supporting port infrastructure to facilitate smooth cargo transfer between rail and lake transport.
Hon. Nikpe explained that steps are already being taken to “position the line for freight operations,” to ensure its effective use as a commercial corridor.
Furthermore, he explained that the Western Railway Line, stretching 330 kilometres from Takoradi to Kumasi with a branch to Awaso, has faced setbacks due to stalled works since December 2024.
Sections covering 22 kilometres from Kojokrom to Manso, 78 kilometres from Takoradi Port to Prestea-Huni Valley, and six kilometres from Edim to Kesi were left incomplete after unpaid payment certificates under the previous administration halted progress.
“The government, through the Ministry of Transport and Ghana Railway Development Authority, is engaging stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General’s Office, to resolve the outstanding issues to enable the contractor to resume work.
”I am delighted to share with you that Amandi Construction, one of the contractors, has resumed work and is currently on site”
Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Transport Minister
The minister stressed that these interventions are crucial to restoring confidence in the project and ensuring timely completion of the Western Line, which remains key for transporting minerals, agricultural produce, and passengers across the western corridor.
Securing Railway Lands
“Encroachment on railway rights-of-way,” has been identified as another challenge undermining progress. The Ghana Railway Development Authority, working with the Lands Commission and security agencies, has launched a campaign to remove encroachers and secure land titles nationwide.
According to the minister, this exercise will ensure contractors have uninterrupted access to project sites, a move seen as critical to speeding up completion timelines and safeguarding infrastructure investment in the long term.
The government has also turned its attention to labour-related challenges within the Ghana Railway Company Limited. Years of infrastructure decline have eroded operational capacity, limiting the company’s ability to generate enough revenue to sustain operations and pay salaries.
The Transport Minister acknowledged the financial strain on workers but assured that the administration is taking steps to develop a sustainable solution in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders. “We feel for the workers and we have gotten close to resolving this issue and getting them their salaries.”
Hon. Nikpe emphasised that restoring staff morale is vital to ensuring long-term sustainability of the railway sub-sector, alongside physical infrastructure upgrades. He underscored that the government’s renewed focus on railways is part of a broader vision to modernise Ghana’s transport system and support economic growth.
With the Tema-Mpakadan line completed, work resuming on the Western Railway Line, encroachment issues being addressed, and labour concerns under review, the Transport Ministry believes a foundation is being laid for reliable and sustainable railway operations.
The Mahama administration has argued that rail transport remains one of the most efficient means of moving bulk goods and passengers, and by committing to these interventions, the government is positioning the sector as a key driver of growth.
READ ALSO: Ghana Cedi Decline, A Natural Market Adjustment- Prof. Bokpin
