Ghana Bolsters Freight Rail Capacity with UK Locomotives to Power Tema-Mpakadan Corridor Growth
Ghana's Ministry of Transport has firmly defended the recent acquisition of two diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons by the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), following queries raised by the NPP Minority Transport Committee. The ministry has stressed that the operational suitability of railway rolling stock cannot be judged by age alone, marking an important clarification for travel and logistics stakeholders watching West Africa's rail revival closely.
According to the ministry, railway engineers evaluate a wide range of factors before determining the value of rolling stock. These include structural integrity, refurbishment quality, remaining fatigue life, reliability, tractive effort, axle load, route compatibility, spare-parts availability, whole-life cost and expected commercial returns. For African transport professionals, this reinforces the growing preference for value-engineering approaches rather than costly new-build acquisitions.
The two British Rail Class 56 locomotives underwent extensive heavy maintenance in the United Kingdom before being shipped to Ghana. The refurbishment covered complete overhauls of the diesel engines, electrical traction equipment, traction motors and bogies, as well as the renewal of the braking systems. The locomotives were also fitted with GSM-R digital railway radio and other safety equipment required for operation on the UK mainline network. Worn mechanical components were replaced, and the locomotives were tested and certified before export. Suppliers have provided a five-year warranty against operational defects, with the ministry expecting at least 15 years of productive service before major maintenance is required.
The Class 56 fleet continues to operate commercially in the United Kingdom under Colas Rail, DCRail and GB Railfreight, and in Hungary under Floyd Zrt. Colas Rail uses the class for Network Rail's Rail Head Treatment Train programme through a five-year contract worth approximately £58 million running to 2030. This continued global service life confirms the availability of spare parts. The GRDA has arranged for approximately five years' worth of spare-parts stock, and engineers have already arrived in Ghana to deliver specialised training and technology transfer to local technicians.
The two Class 56 locomotives and 20 container wagons were acquired for approximately GH¢37.6 million, or roughly US\$3.18 million. The ministry contrasted this with the previous procurement of two two-car PESA diesel multiple units for passenger services, which cost US\$14.67 million. Unlike the passenger units, the Class 56 locomotives were procured specifically for heavy freight operations between the Port of Tema and Mpakadan, with the aim of beginning commercial operations swiftly and generating revenue.
To support freight operations, the GRDA already has two reach stackers and five heavy-duty forklift trucks in place, with plans to procure two additional gantry cranes to expand longer-term capacity. Freight demand on the Tema-Mpakadan corridor was assessed before financing was secured from the India EXIM Bank in 2016 for construction of the railway infrastructure. GRDA is currently finalising commercial off-take agreements, one of which is projected to generate approximately US\$3.5 million annually. This means the rolling-stock investment could be recovered within just two years, while the equipment delivers at least 15 further years of productive service.
The wider railway rehabilitation programme is also gaining momentum. The Kojokrom-Sekondi railway line, dormant for more than two and a half years, was repaired and reactivated in April 2026. Passenger services on the Tema-Mpakadan line resumed in October 2025 after unresolved technical defects, including missing fasteners and faulty signalling, were addressed. Construction works on the Western Railway Line, previously stalled due to funding constraints, have resumed, while signalling upgrades on Tema-Mpakadan are being financed with approximately US\$21 million in grant support from the European Union.
For Africa's travel trade and logistics community, Ghana's railway strategy offers valuable lessons. By repositioning the sector as an economic asset capable of moving freight, reducing logistics costs, supporting industry and easing road congestion, the country is aligning its rail modernisation with the ambitions of its 24-hour economy. Industry players positioning themselves within Ghana's evolving multimodal transport network stand to benefit from more efficient supply chains, improved connectivity and expanded commercial opportunities in the years ahead.
