President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Transport to initiate immediate steps toward extending the railway line from Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave in the Greater Accra Region.
The move forms part of a broader strategy to enhance industrial connectivity, promote efficient cargo transportation, and strengthen Ghana’s logistics infrastructure ahead of the completion of the Mpakadan Inland Port project.
Speaking during a meeting with organized labour, led by the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, President Mahama said the Tema–Dawa Railway Line project should not wait for the completion of the Mpakadan Port to begin. Instead, he emphasized the need for concurrent progress to ensure seamless cargo movement between the port and key industrial zones.
According to the President, the extension from Tema to Dawa will provide a strategic link for transporting goods directly from the Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave—an emerging hub for manufacturing, logistics, and energy operations.
He explained that the project is critical for reducing congestion at Tema Port, cutting haulage costs, and improving turnaround times for industrial operators within the enclave.
“The Tema Port–Dawa Industrial Enclave Railway line should be executed and operationalized to facilitate the transportation of cargo from the Port to the Industrial Zone. This route, when completed, will also make it easier for workers commuting from Ashaiman and surrounding areas to access jobs at the enclave.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The Dawa Industrial Enclave, being developed by LMI Holdings, sits on 2,000 acres of fully serviced industrial land and hosts a 132-megavolt-amperes (MVA) sub-station with plans for a one-gigawatt solar power facility.
The enclave offers integrated infrastructure including water supply, security, and high-speed broadband connectivity—making it one of Ghana’s most advanced industrial hubs.
President Mahama’s directive signals renewed government commitment to revitalizing Ghana’s railway sector, which has faced years of underfunding and stalled projects. The President assured the TUC delegation that the government is determined to address all pending challenges in the rail industry, including the welfare of railway workers.
Addressing salary arrears affecting workers in the rail sector, President Mahama said the Ministry of Finance will be briefed immediately to make provisions for payment.
“The Minister for Finance will be appraised about the salary issue to make allocations to clear the arrears,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to ensuring that the hard work of railway workers is duly recognized and rewarded.
The President also disclosed plans to reassign more than 100 railway workers from the Western Region to Tema to support the operations of the Tema–Mpakadan line once it becomes fully functional. Those approaching retirement, he assured, would receive adequate compensation in accordance with existing labour agreements.
Touching on infrastructure maintenance, President Mahama directed that the dismantling of old railway tracts should be carried out by railway workers themselves rather than outsourced to private contractors.
He further instructed the Transport Minister to ensure that the recovered metal components are transported directly to local factories for recycling and reuse.
The meeting, which took place at the Jubilee House, was attended by key government officials including the Presidential Adviser and Special Aide to the President, Joyce Bawah Mogtari; Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe; Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr. Frederick Appoh.
TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah expressed gratitude to President Mahama for his proactive engagement with organized labour and his swift response to pressing issues affecting railway workers. He noted that the union is encouraged by the President’s assurances and remains committed to working collaboratively with government to strengthen the transport and logistics sectors.
The Tema–Dawa extension aligns with Ghana’s long-term logistics development framework, complementing the Trans-Volta Logistics Project (TVLP) spearheaded by LMI Holdings.
The $200 million TVLP, which began in 2020, aims to construct a container port at Mpakadan in the Eastern Region to facilitate the movement of containerized cargo and fuel from Tema Port through Mpakadan to northern Ghana and onward to Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou.
When fully realized, the Tema–Mpakadan–Dawa rail corridor is expected to form one of West Africa’s most efficient inland logistics networks, boosting trade competitiveness and reducing overreliance on road transport.
It will also contribute to job creation, industrial growth, and economic diversification in line with Ghana’s post-IMF industrial recovery strategy.
President Mahama’s directive reflects his administration’s renewed focus on integrated infrastructure and sustainable transport systems as key drivers of national productivity. His message, delivered in a calm but firm tone, underscores the importance of using infrastructure to bridge regions, connect industries, and empower communities.
READ ALSO: Ghana Inches Closer to $380 Million IMF Disbursement as Board Review Looms in December
