The Tema-Mpakadan railway project faces a major setback as rampant bolt and nut theft threatens the safety and timely launch of the shuttle service scheduled for April.
During a recent inspection, Ghana Railway Authority (GRA) officials, led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Frederick Apoh, discovered that thieves had removed critical bolts and nuts securing the rails to concrete beams, particularly at the 61-kilometre mark.
The GRA has raised alarm over acts of vandalism along the 97-kilometre stretch, which have left sections of the railway tracks dangerously unstable.
Additionally, essential buffer stops metal structures designed to regulate train speed had been stolen, likely for scrap, further compromising the railway’s structural integrity.
Dr. Apoh expressed grave concerns over the safety implications, stating, “We must ensure that all infractions observed from kilometre one to sixty-five are resolved before the Tema-Mpakadan service begins. Otherwise, the likelihood of an accident is high.”
Beyond vandalism, encroachment by squatters along the railway corridor has exacerbated the situation.
Areas such as Tema, Ashaiman, Tulaku, and Afienya have seen unauthorized settlements dangerously close to the railway tracks.
Just two weeks ago, a woman in Ashaiman-Sackey was struck and killed by a passing train, underscoring the urgent need to clear these encroachments.
Despite these pressing challenges, Dr. Apoh acknowledged that removing illegal settlers before the railway’s launch remains unlikely.
“As part of our medium- to long-term strategy, we plan to collaborate with several agencies, including the Tema Development Company, Tema Metropolitan Assembly, and the Ghana Police Service, to seek cabinet approval for the removal of illegal settlers. However, I do not anticipate this will happen before the maiden service in April,” he explained.
Unauthorized access routes have also emerged along the railway, causing sand to accumulate and clog drainage systems, posing additional risks to smooth operations.
During the inspection, a man was found digging a trench in the railway’s buffer zone, directly above buried signal cables. He was cautioned and ordered to refill the trench immediately.
Despite these setbacks, the Tema-Mpakadan shuttle service is expected to improve transportation, reduce travel time, and boost economic activity along the corridor.
According to the Acting Chief Executive Officer, if vandalism and encroachment are not swiftly addressed, the long-term sustainability of the railway project could be jeopardized.
The Minister for Railway Development, John Peter Amenu, has announced that the Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line will be recognized by the Guinness World Records.
He stated, “As a result of the construction of the Senchi Bridge, a significant engineering achievement is being awarded by the Guinness Book of Records’’.
During the commissioning of the Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line and the Multiple Diesel Units (DMU), the Minister commended President Akufo-Addo for his leadership in the project, which has gained international recognition.
The Minister also highlighted that the Exim Bank funded the Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line with a sum of $447 million.
Additionally, he noted that numerous projects have been successfully completed by the government under the Ministry of Railway Development.
In conclusion, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to revitalizing the railway sector.
China Harbour Engineering Co. has reached an agreement to construct a 68-kilometer (42-mile) railway in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial center known for its heavy traffic congestion.
The project aims to alleviate the gridlock that often leaves commuters stuck for extended periods.
The Lagos state government announced on Thursday that Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance Inc., in collaboration with the Chinese firm, will secure funding for the “design, finance, operation, and maintenance” of the railway.
The announcement was made through an email statement.
The memorandum of understanding for the Green Line Rail Project was signed during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing this week.
At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced various economic incentives for Africa, including $50 billion in financial aid and $10 billion in investments from Chinese companies.
This railway will connect Marina, located in Lagos’s central business district, to the Lekki Free Zone on the city’s outskirts, home to the Lagos Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels of oil per day.
“This rail line is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, rising to over a million as demand grows,” according to the statement.
When completed, the new route will add to an existing so-called Blue Line that was commissioned in August 2023 and a Red Line that began operating this year.
Lagos, about the size of the US state of Rhode Island, is home to more than 20 million people and has one of the fastest-growing populations in Africa.
The state’s poor road and transport infrastructure means residents are forced to sit in traffic for hours, with commuters estimated to spend a total of 14.1 million hours a day in traffic every year, according to a 2021 report by Lagos-based Danne Institute for Research.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Yaw Owusu, has quashed prevailing rumors asserting that the Authority has acquired 12 state-of-the-art trains from Poland, setting the record straight on recent procurement speculations.
In an interview he clarified that, although the Authority acknowledges the necessity of a larger fleet, they have acquired two modern trains, refuting the circulating rumors in the media.
Expected to make their official debut in Ghana on February 15, 2024, these state-of-the-art coaches are set to bring a transformative impact to Ghana’s railway sector.
Scheduled to officially arrive in Ghana on February 15, 2024, these cutting-edge coaches are poised to revolutionise Ghana’s railway sector.
Mr. Owusu affirmed that, the new coaches, destined for the Tema-Mpakadan lines, will go to numerous communities to alleviate the burden on commuters and also contribute to socio-economic development.
He said the advanced plans in place is to ensure the seamless operation of the trains, with operations set to commence by June 2024.
He underscored the pivotal role that efficient railway systems play in propelling economic growth.
The government of Ghana has unveiled an ambitious masterplan for the construction of 4000km of rail lines, signaling a commitment to the revitalization of the rail sector.
This undertaking is part of a systematic approach, with each project being tackled step by step to ensure the sustainable development of the nation’s rail infrastructure.
As the nation eagerly awaits the arrival of the two modern coaches, the focus is not just on the enhanced transportation they promise but on the broader implications for economic progress. The introduction of these trains is anticipated to be a catalyst for increased productivity, improved connectivity, and a boost to the overall economy.
With the operational commencement slated for June, Ghanaians are poised to witness a new era in rail transportation, marking a significant stride towards the realization of a modern, efficient and interconnected railway network.
The Greater Accra Region’s Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency is poised to witness the demolition of at least 300 buildings, including the well-known Asuma Banda Mosque.
A report from the Insight newspaper reveals that this demolition is in response to a notice served by the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), instructing all occupants to vacate the premises.
According to the report, the notice, dated September 22, 2023, and signed by Susana Delali Akosua Kudjoe, the Deputy Chief Executive of General Services at GRDA on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, marked the final warning issued to the affected property owners.
“You are by this letter notified, and final notice is hereby given you to vacate occupation of the said land by 30th September 2023…
“The consequences of your failure to comply with the order will not be in your interest, as there will be no further notice of our action,” the letter is reported to have indicated.
The notice was reportedly given to more than 300 landowners, including the Asuma Banda Mosque’s caretakers, according to the report.
The newspaper went on to say that even though Yaw Owusu, the Chief Executive Officer of GRDA, signed the demolition notice, it was issued without his permission.
“What is worrying is that the Deputy CEO Susana Delali Akosua Kudjoe, who is hell bent on carrying out the demolition exercise with the support of one Edem Danku, Deputy Director, Estate and Commercial Unit of the Authority, is alleged to have ignored attempts by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Alhassan, to have the exercise shelved entirely because of the repercussions it will have, not only on the political fortunes of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), but the livelihoods of over 1,000 residents on the railway land stretch.
“Already, one Daasebre Dr Asumadu Nyarko Appiah, Chief of Akyem Wenchi and Oseawuomanhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional in the Eastern Region recently laid claim to all the railway lands on that stretch claiming that the Ghana Railway Development Authority sold all that stretch of land to him despite the occupants also claiming to have a 50-year lease agreement with the authority,” the report added.
Meanwhile, the Insight newspaper said it has also gathered that several of the people who are to be affected have vowed not to move, insisting that they have legitimate documents from the Ghana Railway Company to support them.
Read the full report below:
The popular Asuma Banda Mosque on the Ghana railway land at the Nyaho Hospital stretch at Dzorwulu in Accra along with over three (300) hundred other private properties are set to be demolished anytime soon following a notice issued by the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) ordering all occupants to leave the area.
The notice which was signed and issued on 22nd September 2023 by Madam Susana Delali Akosua Kudjoe, Deputy Chief Executive, General Services at GRDA for the Chief Executive Officer of the authority said, “You are by this letter notified and final notice is hereby given you to vacate occupation of the said land by 30th September 2023”.
The notice distributed to the over 300 occupants of the land including caretakers of the Asuma Banda Mosque warned that, “The consequences of your failure to comply with the order will not be in your interest as there will be no further notice of our action”.
The demolition notice is however said to have been issued at the blind side of Mr Yaw Owusu, Chief Executive Officer of GRDA despite being issued on his behalf.
What is worrying is that the Deputy CEO Susana Delali Akosua Kudjoe who is hell bent on carrying out the demolition exercise with the support of one Edem Danku, Deputy Director, Estate and Commercial Unit of the Authority is alleged to have ignored attempts by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Alhassan to have the exercise shelved entirely because of the repercussions it will have not only on the political fortunes of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) but the livelihoods of over 1,000 residents on the railway land stretch.
Already, one Daasebre Dr Asumadu Nyarko Appiah, Chief of Akyem Wenchi and Oseawuomanhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional in the Eastern Region recently laid claim to all the railway lands on that stretch claiming that the Ghana Railway Development Authority sold all that stretch of land to him despite the occupants also claiming to have a 50-year lease agreement with the authority.
Initial attempts by Daasebre Dr Asumadu Nyarko Appiah to evict the occupants with an eviction notice and threat of legal action brewed tension in the area compelling him to resort to the law courts for redress.
Even though the matter is in court, the latest move by the deputy CEO is said to be orchestrated and if successful, to pave way for the chief to take over the state land on that stretch of the Nyaho Hospital area.
The current impasse at Dzorlwulu appears to be the tip of the iceberg with several state lands leased out for fees and ground rent being sold out like ‘kelewele’ by the officials at the GRDA leading to legal battles at the courts.
Only recently a parcel of land at Avenor in the Ayawaso West Municipality which has for over 25 years been leased out for a fee (ground rent) to one Atta, a truck Mechanic was sold to a private legal practitioner, thus triggering a court action in the process.
What is disturbing is that despite the GRDA disallowing the construction of permanent structures on these state lands, those being sold the land plan to erect permanent structures against the laid down rules and laws of the authority.
Currently, there is uneasy calm in the area as the demolition threat by the GRDA appears to be reverberating with constant threat visits to the area by the deputy CEO, Susana Delali Akosua Kudjoe.
Meanwhile, the hundreds of occupants of the railway land at Dzorwulu who claim to have legitimate documents from the Ghana Railway Company have vowed never to vacate the area.
They have thus appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Chief of Staff, Frema Opare who was once the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area and the Council of State to intervene and ensure an amicably resolution of the issue so as to avoid any bloodshed or destruction to property.
The Insight learnt that the traders and occupants have been living peacefully and plying their trade in the area until power changed hands in 2016 when rumours emerged that somebody had begun to claim ownership of the lands bordering the railway lines at the Nyaho Clinic area which stretches from Asuma Banda’s Mosque all the way to the Roman Ridge intersection at the railway line.
This paper gathered that the traders did not take the matter seriously until the early part of this year January 2023 when Nana Daasebre Dr Asumadu Nyarko Appiah, Chief of Akyem Wenchi and Oseawuomanhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area caused notices through his lawyers, Kings Law Consult to be dispatched to them (traders) claiming ownership of the entire stretch of the railway lands which are the bonafide property of the government of Ghana.
In an eviction notice served which was a letter written on 14th December 2022 signed by one Christopher King, of Kings Law Consult on behalf of Nana Daasebre Dr Asumadu Nyarko Appiah it said, “We write and act as solicitors for and on behalf of Benfipiah Group Limited with peremptory instructions. Our instruction is that our client purchased a parcel of land situate and lying at Tema Line from the Ghana Railway Company”.
Our client instructs us that you have trespassed upon its property and have been operating a shop on its land for some time now. It is our instruction that our client wants to start development on the land and therefore wishes to have the land vacant.
“We demand that you vacate our client’s property within the next 14 days, by 6th January, 2023 failing which we have our client’s peremptory instructions to commence legal action against you and to make the requisite claim for mesne rent and other damages, fees and costs”, portions of the letter read.
However, some letters of leases granted to the occupants by the Ghana railway Company Limited which were sighted by The Insight showed that some of the traders have been on the land since 2001 and in some cases 1999 and being paying their ground rent to the Ghana Railway Company Limited till date.
A suit or writ of summons filed at the Accra High Court by Benfipiah Group Limited through its Chief Executive Officer, Daasebre Nyarko Asumadu Appiah against the traders who are the defendants namely Beauratex Clothing, Bolegatanga, TNATYS Fashion, Akwei Alla, Eye Awurade Chop Bar, Mama Chris, Nyame Nti Chop Bar claims among many others that the land was leased to him by the Ghana Railway Company in the year 2008 for a period of fifty (50) years.
“The Plaintiff avers that he was issued with an indenture dated 1st July 2008 by the Ghana railway Company.
“The Plaintiff avers that it effectively took possession of the land by putting some containers on the land but without its consent and authority the defendants began encroaching on its land and attempts to remove the trespassers from its land in order to develop it has proved futile and the defendants have failed to vacate the land.
However, the defendants in their counter claim denied all the claims and averments by the plaintiff, Daasebre Nyarko Asumadu Appiah insisting some of them were leased the land as far back as 2001 and in some cases 1999.
The government is currently upgrading the old railway workshop at Essikado in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the Western Region, Minister of Railway Development, Mr John-Peter Amewu, has announced.
The project, he explained, would strengthen local capacity for the repairs and maintenance of locomotives, wagons, coaches and other ancillary railway equipment for delivery of railway services in Ghana.
“The vision is to modernise and equip the facility for it to become a one-stop workshop to serve the railway, mining, petroleum, agricultural and other ancillary industries on Ghana,” Mr Awewu stressed.
He said these during the celebration of rail transport day at UMaT’s School of Railways and Infrastructure Development (SRID) at Essikado on Saturday.
It was on the theme “Ghana’s rail transport: challenges and future prospects.”
Already, the minster recalled that, two out of seven workshops were refurbished by Messrs Rolider Ghana Limited in 2018, with government funding, adding that, Messrs CK Engineering and Construction Limited, was also refurbishing five other workshops.
He said, to ensure that Ghana developed adequate local capacity to manage and maintain the railway system, the old Railway Central Training Institute at Essikado, had since 2021, trained over 600 youthful Ghanaians in engineering degree, diploma and certificate programmes.
Again, Mr Amewu indicated that, the school had been upgraded into a degree awarding institution, adding that the ministry together with Ghana Railway Company Limited and UMaT, had developed academic programmes to ensure students received practical and hands-on engineering training, to strengthen their capacity.
As part of railway master plan to modernise and expand the railway network in the country, he said, the existing narrow gauge of western rail line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta sections, since 2017 had been rehabilitated to ensure the efficient haulage of manganese from Nsuta mines to the port of Takoradi.
“The development of a new standard gauge railway network commenced in 2018 for the construction of the 22km Kojokrom to Manso section of the western line in January 2018.
“The project is currently about 90 per cent and is expected to be fully completed and handed over by the contractor Messrs Amandi Holding Ltd in the first quarter of 2023.”
Even before the completion of the new standard gauge line to Manso, the minister reported that the government had secured external funding to continue the development of the western line from Manso to Huni Valley.
The project includes the extension of the standard gauge into the bulk terminal at the Takoradi Port, Mr Amewu said.
The ministry, he said was working closely with the contractor to ensure completion of tracks up to Nsuta within 12 months to enable migration of the manganese haulage from narrow gauge onto the standard gauge to enhance efficiency in railway operations.
UK’s largest container port set to come to a ‘standstill’ due to strikes after Unite backs action
The prospect of disruption at the port responsible for handling almost half of the country’s container traffic will send shivers down the supply chain, risking a repeat of the damaging cargo backlogs witnessed last year.
A union has revealed plans for a strike next month that it says will bring operations at the UK‘s largest container port to a “standstill”.
Unite made the threat while revealing the results of a ballot among its members at Felixstowe, ultimately employed by international port operator CK Hutchison.
The union said workers backed industrial action over pay by 92% on an 81% turnout.
“The dispute is a result of the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company offering a pay increase of just 5% to its workers,” Unite said.
“This is an effective pay cut, with the real (RPI) rate of inflation currently standing at 11.9%.
“Last year, the workforce received a below inflation pay increase of 1.4%”.
The proposed action, which Unite expected would begin next month without substantial progress in resolving the dispute, is part of a wider union campaign for wage settlements to protect their members from the cost of living crisis.
It has already included rail and Tube strikes – with the prospect of more travel disruption to come
Rail strikes go ahead
Felixstowe was yet to comment, but the prospect of halts to operations would have devastating effects for the UK supply chain, as it handles almost half the country’s container traffic.
It is also no stranger to disruption, as backlogs set in ahead of Christmas last year because of a shortage of HGV drivers.
Hong-Kong-based CK Hutchison is one of the world’s leading container terminal and port service operators.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The bottom line is this is an extremely wealthy company that can fully afford to give its workers a pay rise.
“Instead, it chose to give bonanza pay-outs to shareholders touching £100m.
“Unite is focused on defending the jobs, pay, and conditions of its members, and we will be giving 100% support to our members at Felixstowe.
“Workers should not be paying the price for the pandemic with a pay cut.
“Unite has undertaken 360 disputes in a matter of months, and we will do all in our power to defend workers.”
No specific dates for the proposed action have been announced.
Former Energy Minister John Peter Amewu is heading for the Railway Ministry as sector Minister in the yet to be announced ministerial list by President Akufo-Addo, Starr News has learnt.
Former Deputy Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame is also being elevated as substantive Minister of the Ministry by the President.
According to Starr News sources, former Regional Integration Minister Dan Botwe is also headed for the Local Government ministry while former Works and Housing Minster Samuel Atta Akyea has been dropped out of the list by the President. Former Aviation Minister Kofi Adda has also been dropped from the list.
Former Education Minister Mathew Opoku Prempeh will also be Minister for Energy while former deputy Dr Yaw Odei Adutwum is elevated to head the Education Ministry.
Former Deputy Chief of Staff Abu Jinapor is heading for the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry as Minister in the yet to be announced Ministerial nominations by President Akufo-Addo, Starr News has learnt.
Barring any last-minute changes, another former deputy Chief of Staff Asenso Boakye will be named Minister-designate for Works and Housing by the President.
Also, former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Mustapha Yusif will be named Minister of Sports in the list scheduled for release this week.
Meanwhile, the President has retained Akosua Frema Osei-Opare as his Chief of Staff at the Office of the President as he makes his first list of appointments for his second term office.
The President also retained Nana Asante Bediatuo as his Secretary in the batch of appointment released by the Presidency Tuesday.
Eugene Arhin also retained his position as Director of Communications at the Presidency.
Residents in Takoradi are expected to start enjoying rail passenger service once again.
From this coming Monday October 19, 2020 railway passenger service will restart.
The resumption in passenger service is due to the drop in coronavirus cases in Ghana.
The Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) is resuming the passenger service on the Western Rail Lines after months of shutdown.
An official communication from the state company indicated that train service will be operationalised on the 15 kilometer Takoradi to Sekondi via Kojokrom rail line by Monday October 19, 2020.
The Ghana Railways Development Authority (GRDA) and Afcons Infrastructure Limited of India, have signed a railways development contract.
The contract, valued at $419 million was signed on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at the Ministry of Railways Development in Accra.
It is for the construction of a 51 kilometres standard gauge railway line from Eduadin to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
Afcons Infrastructure Limited, which is constructing the Tema-Mpakadan rail line, is per the new contract, expected to construct the Obuasi to Eduadin stretch of the Western Rail line which forms part of the Ghana Railway Masterplan.
The project is expected to be completed within 36 months from the date of commencement.
Speaking shortly after signing the contract on behalf of GRDA and the Government of Ghana, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GRDA, Richard Dombo, said based on the great work Afcons Infrastructure Limited has done on the Tema-Mpakadan rail line, it was not difficult for Government to award them the contract.
Giving the scope of the contract, he stated that there will be the construction of 64 freight wagons, construction of six railway stations, construction of pedestrian footbridges, among others.
He stated that “We are building modern railway lines.”
Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said, the deal will be sent to Parliament for approval.
Vice President of AfCons Infrastructure Limited, U v Singh, thanked the Government of Ghana for once again reposing trust in the company.
He assured the Government and people of Ghana that Afcons will deliver to expectation, saying railways will be the game-changer for Ghana’s economic development.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has said the development of railway sector will not only improve transportation system in the country but also create jobs and business opportunities.
According to him, the impact of the railway sector will be greater when it is finished because “everywhere rail line passes, everything changes.â€
This, he made known when the Minister of Railway Development, Joe Ghartey, led a team from the contractor working on rail lines in Kumasi, David Walters Company Limited, to pay a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi after a sod-cutting ceremony for the Kumasi-Obuasi line project.
He urged government to pursue its agenda of developing the industry to link up cities and towns while commending them for their effort taken to revive the rail sector.
The visit was to thank Otumfuo for sending a representative to witness the sod-cutting ceremony at Kaase last Wednesday.
It was also to seek the support of chiefs in the area against encroachment on demarcated areas for the railway project.
Contrary to recent media reports suggesting that the Accra to Nsawam section of the Eastern Railway line is a newly constructed one, it has turned out that the Accra-Nsawam railway track was constructed between 1910 and 1912.
There was a recent media report suggesting that the Accra-Nsawam line is a new track that has been washed away by flood waters at Achimota.
However, construction of the Accra-Nsawam railway line started as far back as 1910 and ended 1912 when Ghana was still under colonial rule.
Indeed, the Accra-Nsawam railway line is about 110-years old and its construction was carried out by the colonial administration at the time.
Documents from the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) show that from 1912, the said track did not undergo any major repair works until May 2018 when the ongoing rehabilitation commenced on the line.
“After obtaining all the procurement approvals, the actual work was scheduled to commenced on 21st May, 2018. However, this delayed until early July, 2018 due to the late arrival of some of the earth moving equipment and the treated wooden sleepers to be used. On 1st January, 2019 a locomotive was able to travel on the railway line from Accra to Nsawam, successfully.”
The Accra-Nsawam railway line is a narrow gauge with wooden sleepers.
However, all newly constructed railway lines under the President Nana Akufo-Addo’s Government are standard gauge.
Also, the sleepers for all newly constructed lines are concrete and not wooden as is the case with the Accra-Nsawam line.
The Accra-Nsawam railway line stretches a distance of about 40km and is part of the Eastern Railway line.
It has been used purposely for passenger rail services for the past 10 years, providing transport services.
In July 2017, according to the Ghana Railway Company Limited, it became necessary that the railway line from Accra to Nsawam be examined due to its deteriorating state, which had made it unsafe for commuters.
As a result, the Ministry of Railways Development (MoRD) constituted a team of experts to thoroughly examine the condition and state of the rail line and rolling stock, GRCL says.
“A decision was taken by the MoRD after the team of experts submitted their findings to the Minister, which subsequently led to the closure of the line from Accra to Nsawam to allow for a complete track rehabilitation,” according to GRCL.
Cause of Erosion
GRCL says another factor that led to the delay in completion of the rehabilitation works was erosion.
“This was caused by increase settlements which resulted to an increase in the volume of the runoff water from said settlements that led to major erosion at sections along the railway line,” GRCL pointed out in a statement.
“Poor drainage systems at these settlements also led to redirection of huge volumes of runoff water from these settlements to the railway track resulting in big pockets of erosion to track formation,” according to Railway Company.
Interventions
Meanwhile, the Ghana Railway Company Limited indicated the construction of catch drains to reduce the volume and speed of water being redirected to the track from upper areas at Pokuase to prevent erosions and flooding.
“To effect the track rehabilitation, 23,000 treated wooden sleepers, 50,000 cubic meters of ballast were procured and used on the line during the project.”
The Railway Minister, Joe Ghartey has taken a giant step towards the establishment of a railway equipment assembly plant in Ghana.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Railway Ministry, on behalf of the Government of Ghana and a leading global railway parts manufacturing company, Global Railway Manufacturing Ghana.
This has become necessary as government pursues its vision of establishing railway sector as a viable transportation option for Ghanaians.
Joe Ghartey noted that both parties have a shared responsibility to accomplish agreed tasks within a four-month period after which a decision will be made whether or not to execute the project.
“This MoU gives them exclusivity for four months and within 4 months we expect that they would have finished their necessary feasibility study and would have decided whether we intend to go ahead or not.
“The government of Ghana has responsibility under this MoU to provide facilities, give them information and to give them facilities where they can assemble the plants. We will leave it to them to look at our facilities in Tema, the GMU workshop, our facilities in Esikado at location and also our facilities in Takoradi.
“After the 4 months exclusivity period, there is an opportunity to extend it further depending on how far we have reached,†he announced to the press after the signing ceremony.
Government has begun the construction f railway lines across the country and the rehabilitation of old lines.
The Akufo-Addo government upon assumption to office in 2017 made it clear it intended to revamp the ailing sector to create alternative and convenient means of transportation for Ghanaians.
Following reports by the Ghanaian Times on the defective Achimota-Abofu stretch of the Odaw drain in Accra and its threats to adjoining structures, the Ministry of Railway Development has moved to safeguard rail tracks nearby.
The ministry is constructing a 50-metre retaining wall along the base of the Achimota under-bridge to protect that section of the Accra-Nsawan railway from erosion caused by water from the drain.
Water from the dilapidated drain which passes beneath the bridge has veered into the embankment of the railway, eroding it and rendering the transport infrastructure dangerous.
The wall is being erected by the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) with large stones packed into metal mesh. It is also filling the eroded areas with similar stones.
During an inspection of the work yesterday,a Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL), Dr Michael Adjei Anyetei said it would be completed next week.
He explained that the condition of the railway was not because the company did a shoddy job on the railway but as “result of a failed storm drain†adding that the water channel that retains the water should have been extended for free flow.
Beyond the work being done by the ministry, he called on the Ministry of Works and Housing to take immediate steps to address the defects of the bridge to prevent further damage.
“Even if you repair the rail track and the storm drain is not repaired it would be a recurring problem [in the area] and we will have to come and repair it,†Dr Anyetei explained.
Dr Anyetei who is in charge of engineering works, fell short of mentioning the cost of the retaining walls but did not deny that it was an additional cost to the state.
He said other parts of the railway system in Accra which were damaged by recent rains especially that of Tuesday dawn were also being rehabilitated by the company.
On the resumption of railway shuttle services, he said the sector ministry and other stakeholders were deliberating on the way forward because observing social distancing protocols in the trains would be expensive.
He served notice that structures of persons who had encroached areas near the tracks would be demolished soon after ongoing stakeholder consultation was completed.
In July Last year, Ghanaian Times reported that danger was looming at Abofu due to the dilapidated state of drain. The Hydrological Services Department promised to fix it early this year only to defer it to September this year.
The management Ghana Railway Company Limited has postponed the reopening of the Kojokrom-Tarkwa railway line from Monday, March 16, 2020, to Saturday, April 11, 2020.
The management of the company in a press release issued on March 15, 2020, said the postponement is due to a request from the Ghana Railway Development Authority to help the contractor extend some culverts.
“This is after GRCL received a letter from the Ghana Railway Development Authority, the regular, indicating that the request by the contractor, Amandi Holdings Limited who is constructing the standard gauge railway line alongside the existing narrow gauge line and the consultant, TEAM Engineering ASPA expanded the number of culverts between KM16+000 TO KM 23 + 500 on the western line.â€
The Management further indicated “the extended period would enable the contractor to achieve significant progress before the onset of the rainy season.â€
The Ghana Railway Company Limited first suspended passenger service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa line on Monday, March 2, 2020.
The suspension was initially expected to last for two weeks.
The construction of a new standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Manso to replace the narrow gauge line on the Takoradi-Tarkwa stretch being funded by the Government of Ghana is progressing steadily.
Upon completion, the new line would ensure high-speed and minimal or no interruption in the passenger train service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa rail line.
It would be recalled that the passenger service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa line had to be suspended for two weeks by the Ghana Railway Company after about three weeks of free passenger service, to allow the engineers work to improve the line.
As part of the initiative, the contractor, Amandi Holdings, is building eight 25 tons culverts from kilometre 16 to kilometre 20 on the existing narrow gauge line.
The Minister for Railway Development, Joe Ghartey, inspecting the ongoing works at Eshiem and Angu in the Western Region, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the line.
He said that the line had to be diverted from the Eshiem community because of the high-speed trains that would be plying the new standard gauge lines.
He also said the high-speed lines did not require too many curves, so it was appropriate the new line was diverted so that the curvy nature of the old line through Eshiem could be avoided.
“The engineers and consultants are looking at how they can stay within the right of way without compromising the speed,†he stated, adding that the consultant for the project had sent a proposal to the Railway Development Authority to extend the reopening of Takoradi-Tarkwa lines to enable them to build a world-class rail sector.
“The people are eager to see the train service to begin but the advice from the engineers is that we must extend the reopening date,†he added.
The Deputy Resident Engineer for Team Engineering, the Consultant, Peter Forkah, said they had sent a proposal to the authorities to use the shutdown period to continue with the construction of more culverts where necessary on the Kojokrom to Tarkwa stretch.
He said once the proposal was accepted, the reopening date of the passenger train from Takoradi to Tarkwa would have to be extended for about six weeks.
Longest Train Bridge
Earlier, the minister and his entourage inspected the construction of a 385-metre viaduct (Train Bridge), believed to be the longest in West Africa, over the road linking Eshiem to Kojokrom.
This viaduct which diverts the line from the Eshiem community is about 90 per cent complete.
According to the General Manager of Amandi Holdings, David Ben Ayun, the viaduct and other attached works were costing the country about $90 million.
The construction of a new standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Manso to replace the narrow gauge line on the Takoradi-Tarkwa stretch being funded by the Government of Ghana is progressing steadily.
Upon completion, the new line would ensure high-speed and minimal or no interruption in the passenger train service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa rail line.
It would be recalled that the passenger service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa line had to be suspended for two weeks by the Ghana Railway Company after about three weeks of free passenger service, to allow the engineers work to improve the line.
As part of the initiative, the contractor, Amandi Holdings, is building eight 25 tons culverts from kilometre 16 to kilometre 20 on the existing narrow-gauge line.
The Minister for Railway Development, Joe Ghartey, inspecting the ongoing works at Eshiem and Angu in the Western Region, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the line.
He said that the line had to be diverted from the Eshiem community because of the high-speed trains that would be plying the new standard gauge lines.
He also said the high-speed lines did not require too many curves, so it was appropriate the new line was diverted so that the curvy nature of the old line through Eshiem could be avoided.
“The engineers and consultants are looking at how they can stay within the right of way without compromising the speed,†he stated, adding that the consultant for the project had sent a proposal to the Railway Development Authority to extend the reopening of Takoradi-Tarkwa lines to enable them to build a world-class rail sector.
“The people are eager to see the train service to begin but the advice from the engineers is that we must extend the reopening date,†he added.
The Deputy Resident Engineer for Team Engineering, the Consultant, Peter Forkah, said they had sent a proposal to the authorities to use the shutdown period to continue with the construction of more culverts where necessary on the Kojokrom to Tarkwa stretch.
He said once the proposal was accepted, the reopening date of the passenger train from Takoradi to Tarkwa would have to be extended for about six weeks.
Longest Train Bridge
Earlier, the minister and his entourage inspected the construction of a 385-metre viaduct (Train Bridge), believed to be the longest in West Africa, over the road linking Eshiem to Kojokrom.
This viaduct which diverts the line from the Eshiem community is about 90 per cent complete.
According to the General Manager of Amandi Holdings, David Ben Ayun, the viaduct and other attached works were costing the country about $90 million.
What started as the Tema to Paga railway line project has become Ghana to Burkina Railway Interconnectivity Project, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.
Speaking on the rail sector of the economy while delivering his fourth State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 20 February 2020, Mr Akufo-Addo said: “The contractors have assured the government that the Tema to Mpakadan line, which includes a three hundred (300)-meter rail bridge over the Volta River, will be completed in August.
“Those who travel along the Accra to Akosombo route would testify that this is a reality, as we can all see the work being done. I hope to travel on that line in August. We can safely say that the rail line journey to Paga has begun.â€
He added: “The Tema to Accra line has been operational for two years and the Accra to Nsawam line would soon be operational. The Takoradi to Tarkwa line was inaugurated a few weeks ago and is proving to be very popular and being enthusiastically patronisedâ€, the President said.
“What started as the Tema to Paga railway line has become the Ghana to Burkina Railway Interconnectivity Projectâ€, he noted, adding: “Approximately eight hundred (800) Kilometers of this rail line will be in Ghana and two hundred (200) kilometers in Burkina Faso.â€
Chief Executive of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) says the feasibility studies on the proposed sky-train project for Ghana has been completed and is under review.
According to Richard Dombo, government after the review will sign a contract to begin the implementation of the project.
“The sky trains are on an elevator platform rather than underground. They will be running on platforms over the city of Accra. It will be a community train and not an intercity-one. At the moment, the feasibility studies have been completed and it is being studied and reviewed before the contract is signed,†he explained on Eyewitness News on February 13.
Earlier in 2019, Railway Minister, Joe Ghartey signed a US$2.3bn concession with a South African group, Africa Investment (Ai) SkyTrain Consortium, for the construction of the Accra Sky Train Project.
The Minister indicated that the project will ease the increasing road traffic congestion in Accra and boost economic activities in the capital city.
About the SkyTrain project
SkyTrain systems are pre-fabricated using precision moulded, pre-stressed reinforced concrete components that are capable of being installed at a very rapid rate, meaning that there is minimal disruption and congestion in the urban area that is undergoing installation and commissioning.
The proposed SkyTrain initiative in Accra provides for the development of five routes, four of which are comprised of radial routes that originate at the proposed SkyTrain Terminal, at the heart of Accra, at a newly developed Kwame Nkrumah circle, and one route that provides and intra-city commuter loop distribution service, also emanating from Circle.
The project envisages a total track length across all routes of 194 kilometres.
The Ghana Railway Company has announced that it will offer free train rides on its Accra-Nsawam line between Wednesday 12th February and Friday 14th February, 2020.
The company said the free rides come after it addressed some technical challenges with its service and conducted a test run on the line with the Ghana Railway Railway Development (GRDA), its regulator.
The free ride service was to take place in January 2020 but it was postponed due to the challenges.
A statement from the company noted that “GRDA has given certification for GRCL to commence passenger service on the line.â€
The train will depart from the Nsawam station to Accra to 5:45 am and depart from Accra station to Nsawam at 5:30 pm each day.
Read excerpts of the statement below:
The Management of Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) wishes to inform the general public that it intended to run free passenger service on the Accra-Nsawam rail line last month but had to postpone it due to some technical challenges.
After successfully addressing the technical challenges, the GRCL conducted a joint test run with Ghana Railway Railway Development (GRDA), the Regulator, to ensure the suitability of the line for passenger service.
After the test run, GRDA has given certification for GRCL to commence passenger service on the line.
In the light of this, GRCL will provide free passenger service from Accra to Nsawam on Wednesday 12th and 14th Friday, 2020.
The train will depart from Nsawam station to Accra to 5:45 am and depart from Accra station to Nsawam at 5:30 pm each day.
The general public is again being assured that the rail line has been certified by GRDA, the Regulator, that is fit for commercial operations but any problem when may crop up during the period will be quickly addressed by the GRCL engineers in the subsequent days after the free passenger service to ensure passenger safety and comfortability.
Free rides in Takoradi
Free passenger rides on the Takoradi to Tarkwa line that was undertaken last month was fraught with challenges including delay in the movement of the train, rough rides and shaky coaches and the derailment of a cargo coach.
Following five days of free passenger service on the Takoradi to Tarkwa rail line, the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) will begin full commercial service from Monday, February 10.
The service will then be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Ghana Railways Company Limited had an incident-free passenger service from Takoradi to Tarkwa last week.
In a statement announcing the service, acting Managing Director of the Company John Essel said GRCL is satisfied with the condition of the line, locomotives and coaches, hence the decision.
“As a result of this and the public enthusiasm shown during the three days, the service was extended for one more week from 3rd to 7th February, 2020, with the intention of addressing any other teething problems which might have arisen.
“Having offered the service for four days running, we wish to inform the general public that no incident has been recorded.â€
The GRCL reiterated its earlier caution that there will be times when they have to stop operations to allow the contractor working on the construction of a new standard gauge line to continue its work.
“We wish to also indicate that currently on the Western Line, a new standard gauge Railway Line is being developed alongside the existing railway line and occasionally there will be the need for GRCL to stop operations to enable this contractor to do some critical works on the new line. The general public will be informed when such issues arise,†a statement said.
Fares
The fare for the first class coach from Takoradi to Tarkwa will be GH¢10 while that of the second class will be GH¢8.
The other fares range from GH¢5 to as little as GH¢2 depending on the distance of travel.
The train will leave the Takoradi Harbor Station to Tarkwa at 6:15am and from Tarkwa to Takoradi at 3:00pm each working day.
Dr Michael Adjei Anyetei the Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) has assured the public of active passenger services.
“Despite the technical hitch recorded when a free passenger train was returning from Tarkwa to Takoradi last Thursday, I want to make it clear that the services are still active,†he said.
The passenger train had one of its coaches derailing on the Tarkwa-Tarkoradi rail line on Thursday, due to a technical glitch.
However, the challenge was resolved for the train to proceed safely back to Takoradi some minutes after the incident.
Speaking to journalists, Dr Anyetei mentioned that GRCL engineers withdrew that particular coach for thorough examination and servicing.
He, however, said that the incident had not stopped the free rail services being offered by the company after some rehabilitation works on the railway line.
An earlier statement issued by the company and signed by Dr. Anyetei indicated that the track infrastructure had not been compromised and it was in a very good state.
“To this end, the company has decided to extend the free passenger service for an extra week starting from February 3 to 7, 2020,†the statement added.
The company has, therefore, assured the public that the rail line has been certified by the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), the regulator.
“Any problem which will crop up on the coaches will be quickly addressed by GRCL engineers,†the statement said.
He urged the public to trust the company as it worked to reactivate the passenger service after 13 years of being defunct.
It would be recalled that the GRCL announced its intention to commence commercial train services on the Tarkwa-Tarkoradi rail line on February, 5 2020 and the move would be preceded by three-day free train service.
The Ghana Railways Company Limited has confirmed the return train from Tarkwa to Takoradi on Thursday experienced a minor challenge at Nsuta in the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality of the Western Region.
The company, however, says the challenge was resolved for the train to proceed safely back to Takoradi minutes after the incident.
“When we got to Nsuta the coach carrying goods experienced a technical hitch and so we had to stop. After on-the-spot examination, the engineers agreed that the coach be left behind,†Michael Kobina Addison, the Chief Civil Engineer for Ghana Railways Company Limited, told 3news.com.
Mr Kobina Addison added that immediately after the advice, the cargo coach was separated from the passenger side for the train to continue back to Takoradi.
A video has emerged showing that one of the coaches for the Takoradi to Tarkwa passenger service has derailed at Nsuta.
Mr. Kobina Addison dismissed reports that passengers had to be rushed to safety.
“The affected coach was a cargo one. There were no passengers on that section. So it is not true that people had to be rushed to safety.â€
Issues of safety
He explained that there is a technical team on board each trip to immediately address any issues that would arise.
“There are also vacuums for break. So in the event of any derailment that particular coach will break off. When that happens it serves as a natural push on the other coaches and so the driver will notice it and stop.â€
Responding to the complaint of different experience on the track from Takoradi to Kojokrom as against Kojokrom to Tarkwa, Mr. Kobina Addison explained that it had to do with how old both tracks are.
“The Takoradi to Kojokrom rail lines were built and completed in 2016. So they are very new and it is also a dual gauge. But the track from Kojokrom to Tarkwa is a narrow gauge and are more than 100 years old. They have completed two life cycles. The life cycle of a track is around 50 years.â€
He indicated that it is the same tracks that they use to haul manganese from Nsuta.
“And so because of that, we carry out routine maintenance works on them. And I must add that before the commencement of this free passenger service we had several successful test runs on the track.â€
He stated that where the incident happened had steel sleepers.
“As I speak the coach has been cleared from the track. This morning our train set off for Tarkwa and so far we have had no challenge.â€
The final test runs on the Accra-Nsawam rail line scheduled to take place this week has been suspended, the Ghana Railway Company Limited announced on Thursday.
The test run was meant to certify that the line is fit for commercial operations.
The GRCL explained that after the recent heavy downpour of rain in Accra, certain portions of the PokuaseAmasaman section of the rail line suffered serious washout which has affected the integrity of the line.
“In view of this, the final test run by the regulator, the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), has been suspended to enable GRCL address the problem to guarantee the safety of passengers before the shuttle service begins,†it stated.
The Ministry of Railways Development has also agreed to the suspension.
Background
10 coaches were earmarked to undergo the rehabilitation, which cost GHc 1 million.
A total of GH¢105 million has been made available to GRCL over the past three annual budget periods. Allocations from the amount have also been made to improve the conditions at the Railways Training College.
The rest of the allocation has gone into the rehabilitation works of both the Accra-Nsawam and Accra-Tema rail lines.
Other Projects
Other on-going projects include the Western Railway Line (Narrow Gauge and Standard Gauge); Eastern Railway Line (Narrow Gauge and Standard Gauge); Kumasi-Paga Line (Central Spine); Tema-Mpakadan (Akosombo) Line; Ghana-Burkina Faso Railway Interconnectivity Project, among others.
