Govt reaffirms commitment to revive rail sector under Big Push Agenda

The government has reiterated its commitment to revamping Ghana’s railway sector as part of the Big Push Infrastructure Agenda.

The Ministry of Transport says the once vibrant railway network has suffered a steady decline due to obsolete infrastructure, poor maintenance practices, and persistent human resource challenges.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe Bukari stated that the Mahama administration is determined to implement comprehensive policies and reforms aimed at revitalising the sector.

“The development of Ghana’s railway system has suffered a lot of setbacks over the years due to many challenges that confront us. Poor maintenance practices, human resource capacity challenges, inadequate financing, among other issues, have contributed to the decline of the previously vibrant railway sector. Railway operations are currently at an unacceptable level due to the poor nature of railway tracks across the entire 947-kilometre narrow-gauge network.

“The manifesto of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama, the government will pay attention to a lot of activities geared towards reviving the economy and ensuring accelerated, sustainable economic expansion. The National Infrastructure Growth Programme, called the Big Push, will be pivotal to achieving this objective,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Board Chairman of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Richard Abugre Anamu, expressed concern over the increasing use of the Tema Motorway by cargo trucks instead of the railway system, a practice he said continues to deteriorate the country’s road network.

He assured the Board’s firm resolve to confront the challenges facing the railway sector and help restore its efficiency and relevance.

“I believe I have the authority of my collegues here to promise we will rise to the occasion,” he stated