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The
flamboyant ceremony fully compensated for the agony of the April 18, 2024
test-run mishap, which temporarily threw the initial plans out of gear.
Accident
On that
fateful day, one of the newly acquired magnificent trains unexpectedly ran into
a truck which was strangely parked across the railway track during an inaugural
test-run prior to the start of its scheduled operations.
Following
investigations into the matter, the driver of the truck was found guilty of
causing damage to state property, and was, accordingly, sentenced to six
months' imprisonment.
However, the new train eventually embarked on its dream
journey yesterday, with President Akufo-Addo being one of the first passengers
to travel on the railway line.
History
‘The unveiling of the landmark railway line and the fully
air-conditioned DMUs, with a two tier comfortable seating {arrangement for first
class and economy class, and capacity of 255 passengers, marked the return of
the railway enterprise for the movernent of people and goods along the Easter
corridor of Ghana.
‘The construction of the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line began in
2018 by Afcons infrastructure, financed through an India Export-Import Bank credit
facility at a cost of $447 million. The railway line is the first section of
the Ghana-Burkina Faso interconnectivity project. One of the highlights of the
project is a 300-metre rail bridge across the Volta River, near Senchi. Other facilities
include modem rail stations at Adome, Kpone, Doryumu -JokpanyA-Kodiabe, Shai Hills,
Afienya, Ashaiman, Tema Industrial Area, and Tema Port, as well as two railheads
at Mpakadan and Tema Harbour
Inauguration
‘Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo said the
project, conceived under the administration of President John A. Kufuor was a
good example of continuity in government for national development.
He said reducing the reliance on road transport for long
distance freight and passenger movement, the new railway line would address
several critical challenges that had hindered Ghana's development.
‘The President said the new line would significantly
decongest the roads, thereby alleviating the heavy burden that had led to
severe traffic congestion, the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure and
an alarming increase in road accidents
He added that it would enhance the efficiency of port
operations at Tema, minimizing vessel waiting times and container dwelling
times, thereby boosting the competitiveness of Ghana's ports.
“The integration of rail and inland water transport will
also transform trade in agriculture by lowering freight costs, Increasing the
viability of agricultural enterprises along the Volta Lake and facilitating the
seamless movement of {goods and produce to and from northern Ghana and
neighbouring landlocked countries” President Akufo-Addo saId
He described the new railway line as a transformative
intervention to address the pressing issues comprehensively, stressing that
when fully operational, the multimodal network would Link the Tema port to the north-south
transport corridor spanning some 4000 kilometres and open new opportunities for
the movement of fuel, cement, containerized cargo and agricultural produce.
“The economic and social benefits of this project are far-reaching
and transformative. By alleviating the pressure (0n our road network it will extend
the lifeline of vertical routes, including those along the eastern corridor,
while simultaneously lowering the cost of transporting bulk goods, agricultural
produce and containers, thereby enhancing business competitiveness. It will
offer a reliable and cost-effective transportation alterative for passengers in
areas currently underserved by road networks, ensuring greater accessibility
and convenience’ he said
"This project is far more than just a railway line. It
is a lifeline that will empower communities, invigorate businesses and
strengthen industries, ultimately making Ghana more resilient and prosperous,
the President, added,
Achievement
‘The Minister of Railway Development, John-Peter Amewu,
commended President Akufo-Addo for embarking on ‘the longest single rail
project completed since independence.
He indicated that other similar rail activities and
infrastructure undertaken during President Akufo-Addo's tenure from 2017
included the Western Rail Line development projects, which were being developed
in sections such as ‘the 22-kilometre sections from Kojokrom to Manso section
line, which was about 96 per cent complete, the continuation of work on the
section between the port of Takoradi and the Huni Valley, which is about 78
kilometres done.
Mr Amewu added that the government was also financing the
development of a new sixkilometre standard gauge line in Kumasi, between Adum
and Kaase, as part of the Western Line Development Project.
‘The Hohoe Member of Parliament said the government had
since 2017 been investing in the development of local capacity to maintain and
sustain the rail system for the benefit of future generations, following the
upgrade of the railway taining school in Sekondi and had since begun providing
training to over 1,000 youthful Ghanaians and other nationals from and within
the sub-region.
‘The school, he said, now awarded degrees and certificates
to successful graduates through collaborative efforts by the Ministry of
Railway Development and the Ministry of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa,
Key strategy
‘The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway
Development Authority, Yaw Owusu, sold one of the key strategies of the Tema-Mpakadan
project was to build an intermodal transport system to link Tema Port to the Mpakadan
Port.
That, he said, would ensure that imported goods in
containers would be loaded onto trains and transferred from ‘the trans onto
barges at the Mpakadan Port to be ferried 1o the ports in the Northam part of
Ghana and subsequently transported on train and by road to neighbouring
countries of Burkina Faso and Niger.
Mr. Owusu said traditionally, railway lines were built in
anticipation of a demographic and economic growth, and ‘therefore, invited
business communities to take advantage of the incredible and viable project by
siting businesses
India-Ghana relationship
‘The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Manish Gupta, said
the commissioning of the railway line was the single largest project
implemented under the government-to-government development partnership in Ghana
and ‘commended President Akufe-Addo for the realization of what he termed a
flagship project.
He said India had been a long-standing partner in Ghana's
developmental journey and his country remained steadfast in its commitment
towards the country’s economic development, adding that Indian companies had invested
nearly $2 billion, with about $1 billion in lines of credit, buyers’ credit,
during the last two decades.
He said India was among the leading trade partners and a
source of foreign direct investment in this country.
Appeal
‘The Stool Secretary of the Tema Traditional Council , Ni
Shipi Amarh Somponu Il, said the expansion of the harbour and the volume of
cargo handling had increased, hence the construction of the railway line was an
indication that Ghana was prepared to make good use of the harbour to transport
goods to its neighbouring landlocked countries.
Nii Somponu ii renewed the council’s appeal to the
government for the construction of a sea defense wall at Awudum in Tema New
Town to forestall the gradual erosion of the lands as a result of the Tema
Harbour Expansion Programme.
Writer's email benjamin glover@graphic-com.gh
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