The Ministry of Transport has defended the government’s acquisition of two diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, dismissing criticism by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and insisting the investment represents value for money and will strengthen Ghana’s railway freight operations.
This follows concerns raised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the government’s acquisition of two refurbished diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, calling for full disclosure on their age, condition, cost and long-term value to Ghana’s railway sector.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 3, the Ministry said claims that the imported Class 56 locomotives were obsolete and “fit for the museum” reflected “a fundamental misunderstanding of railway engineering and locomotive operations.”
According to the Ministry, the locomotives underwent extensive refurbishment in the United Kingdom before being shipped to Ghana, including complete overhauls of their diesel engines, electrical traction systems, traction motors, bogies and brake systems, as well as the installation of modern railway safety equipment.
It said the locomotives were thoroughly tested and certified for export and are covered by a five-year warranty against operational defects.
The Ministry added that with routine maintenance, the locomotives are expected to remain in productive service for at least 15 years before requiring major maintenance.
“The rolling stock investment cost will be recovered within about two years while providing at least fifteen additional years of productive service. That is not waste. That is value for money. That is not propaganda. That is practical railway economics,” the statement said.
Addressing concerns over maintenance and spare parts, the Ministry noted that Class 56 locomotives remain in commercial freight service in the United Kingdom and Hungary, with operators including Colas Rail, DCRail and GB Railfreight.
It said spare parts remain readily available and that the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has secured agreements with suppliers to maintain five years’ worth of critical spare parts and consumables.
The Ministry also announced that specialist engineers have arrived in Ghana to train GRDA technicians and engineers through hands-on technology transfer programmes to build local maintenance capacity.
Responding to claims that the Tema-Mpakadan railway lacked the equipment needed for freight operations, the Ministry said GRDA already possesses two reach stackers and five heavy-duty forklifts capable of handling container and bulk cargo operations.
It added that the Authority is also procuring two gantry cranes to enhance long-term operational capacity.
“The claim that GRDA lacks lifting equipment is therefore factually inaccurate, technically uninformed and politically mischievous,” the Ministry stated.
On the commercial viability of the freight project, the Ministry said feasibility studies conducted before the construction of the Tema-Mpakadan railway identified strong freight demand along the corridor.
It disclosed that GRDA is finalising commercial off-take agreements, with one expected to generate about US$3.5 million annually.
The Ministry also defended the cost of the procurement, stating that the current administration acquired the two freight locomotives and 20 container wagons for approximately GH¢37.6 million, equivalent to US$3.18 million.
It contrasted this with the previous NPP administration’s purchase of two PESA diesel multiple-unit passenger trains at a cost of US$14.67 million, or about GH¢164.7 million.
The Ministry argued that the comparison demonstrates a more cost-effective investment by the current administration, noting that the newly acquired locomotives are designed specifically for freight operations and revenue generation.
“These are not decorative assets. They are revenue-generating freight assets designed to move containers and industrial cargo between Tema Port and Mpakadan, reduce the cost of logistics, ease pressure on Ghana’s roads, support industrialisation and generate sustainable railway income,” it said.
The statement further accused the previous NPP administration of leaving key railway infrastructure in poor condition, including the Kojokrom-Sekondi line, unresolved technical defects on the Tema-Mpakadan railway, abandoned works on the Western Railway Line and salary arrears for railway workers.
According to the Ministry, the current administration has restored passenger rail services between Kojokrom, Sekondi and Takoradi, recommissioned diesel multiple-unit trains, rehabilitated rail infrastructure and revived stalled construction works on the Western Railway Line.
It added that inherited signalling defects on the Tema-Mpakadan railway are being addressed with approximately US$21 million in European Union grant support.
The Ministry said the government is repositioning the railway sector as a key driver of the country’s 24-hour economy through investments in freight transport, reduced logistics costs and sustainable revenue generation.
