Work begins on the 83.5-kilometer Kumasi-Obuasi standard gauge railway
The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an 83.5-kilometer-long first section of the new standard gauge western railway from Kumasi to Obuasi was carried out by the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, September 30th, 2020. The project is part of a plan to develop standard gauge railroad lines that will be built by the government across the country and invested in $ 2 billion.
Akufo-Addo found that in January 2017, of the 947 kilometers of colonial narrow-gauge railway network that the colonialists had bequeathed to the country, barely 10% were in operation. Apart from the 15-kilometer narrow-gauge railway line, which was built between 2012 and 2017 from Sekondi via Kojokrom to Takoradi, not a further kilometer of railway line was added.
"When I took office, I was determined to change this statistic because I believed that having an efficient, effective rail system in place is critical to the progress, prosperity and development of our nation. The government and Minister of Railroad Development, Joe Ghartey, have pledged to change the face of the railroad sector in the country and the government has now laid solid foundations in this sector.
It is worth recalling that earlier this year both the Cabinet and Parliament signed an agreement for EUR 500 million for the construction of a new standard gauge line from Takoradi port to Kojokrom and also from Manso to the Huni valley. After its completion, one hundred and two kilometers (102 km) of new standard gauge railway lines would have been built as part of the development of a new western line with standard gauge.
President Akufo-Addo stated that the Western Railway is critical to the successful development of the new bauxite and aluminum industries that the government is promoting. The Sheini and Oppon Manso iron ore deposits, which the President believes will form the basis of the upcoming iron and steel industry, require a modern rail network to transport the ore.
In addition, President Akufo-Addo said before the meeting that work on the Tema - Mpakadan line, the first phase of the Tema - Paga section of the Ghana-Burkina rail network project, was also progressing steadily. "This line has branches to Sheini and Oppon Manso. The Atiwa bauxite exploitation, as part of the nascent bauxite and aluminum industries, will also benefit from the construction of a new railway line," he added.
The economic viability of the Boankra inland port to be built will also be significantly improved by the presence of a railway line, he emphasized and added: "A new standard-gauge railway line from Accra via Tema to Kumasi is a must, and I assume that it will be before Elections to be signed in December contracts for the start of construction of a line from Accra to Tema towards Kumasi ".
Since the country's railway network never went beyond Kumasi, he announced that a feasibility study and the preliminary design for a new standard gauge line from Eduabin to Paga via Bechem, Sunyani, Techiman and Tamale had been completed. Railroad Development Minister Joe Ghartey stated that the first train reached Kumasi in 1903 and it was a narrow gauge that has remained unchanged for several decades to this day. The country will now undertake to build standard-gauge railway lines with the primary aim of expanding the country's transport network, promoting economic activities and reducing travel times for commuters and goods.
David Asante, Chief Executive Officer of David Walter Limited, the contractor for the project, thanked the government for trusting their skills and professionalism in awarding the contract to his company. He called for more consideration from the government for local businesses and support for the private sector.
Akufo-Addo found that in January 2017, of the 947 kilometers of colonial narrow-gauge railway network that the colonialists had bequeathed to the country, barely 10% were in operation. Apart from the 15-kilometer narrow-gauge railway line, which was built between 2012 and 2017 from Sekondi via Kojokrom to Takoradi, not a further kilometer of railway line was added.
"When I took office, I was determined to change this statistic because I believed that having an efficient, effective rail system in place is critical to the progress, prosperity and development of our nation. The government and Minister of Railroad Development, Joe Ghartey, have pledged to change the face of the railroad sector in the country and the government has now laid solid foundations in this sector.
It is worth recalling that earlier this year both the Cabinet and Parliament signed an agreement for EUR 500 million for the construction of a new standard gauge line from Takoradi port to Kojokrom and also from Manso to the Huni valley. After its completion, one hundred and two kilometers (102 km) of new standard gauge railway lines would have been built as part of the development of a new western line with standard gauge.
President Akufo-Addo stated that the Western Railway is critical to the successful development of the new bauxite and aluminum industries that the government is promoting. The Sheini and Oppon Manso iron ore deposits, which the President believes will form the basis of the upcoming iron and steel industry, require a modern rail network to transport the ore.
In addition, President Akufo-Addo said before the meeting that work on the Tema - Mpakadan line, the first phase of the Tema - Paga section of the Ghana-Burkina rail network project, was also progressing steadily. "This line has branches to Sheini and Oppon Manso. The Atiwa bauxite exploitation, as part of the nascent bauxite and aluminum industries, will also benefit from the construction of a new railway line," he added.
The economic viability of the Boankra inland port to be built will also be significantly improved by the presence of a railway line, he emphasized and added: "A new standard-gauge railway line from Accra via Tema to Kumasi is a must, and I assume that it will be before Elections to be signed in December contracts for the start of construction of a line from Accra to Tema towards Kumasi ".
Since the country's railway network never went beyond Kumasi, he announced that a feasibility study and the preliminary design for a new standard gauge line from Eduabin to Paga via Bechem, Sunyani, Techiman and Tamale had been completed. Railroad Development Minister Joe Ghartey stated that the first train reached Kumasi in 1903 and it was a narrow gauge that has remained unchanged for several decades to this day. The country will now undertake to build standard-gauge railway lines with the primary aim of expanding the country's transport network, promoting economic activities and reducing travel times for commuters and goods.
David Asante, Chief Executive Officer of David Walter Limited, the contractor for the project, thanked the government for trusting their skills and professionalism in awarding the contract to his company. He called for more consideration from the government for local businesses and support for the private sector.
Source: lok-report.de
