The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Authority (GRA), Dr. Frederick Apoh has revealed that operations on the long-awaited Tema-Mpakadan Railway are expected to commence soon, pending the resolution of a few remaining challenges.
Dr. Apoh said the authority is working tirelessly to ensure the commencement of train services from Tema to Afienya and onward to Mpakadan. The move forms part of efforts to expand Ghana’s railway network and enhance freight and passenger movement.
Speaking to journalists after a community engagement session, Dr. Apoh emphasized the importance of safety and public cooperation. “Our job as an authority is to provide a safe railway operation and avoid any fatalities. That is why I decided to deploy all my staff to take part in this sensitization exercise,” he stated.
The sensitization program, according to Dr. Apoh has been divided into three phases. “In the short term, we are engaging community leaders, assemblies, schools, churches, and mosques to inform the public about the dangers of encroaching on railway lines,” he explained.
The outreach, which has seen staff distribute and paste educational flyers along the railway corridor, is being led by Shahada Alhassan, Director of Corporate Affairs at GRA. She expressed optimism about the campaign’s success in reducing encroachment and improving public awareness.
Dr. Apoh further highlighted that the GRA is also focused on its flagship Western Railway project, which stretches from Takoradi to Dunkwa and Boankra. He believes this route, when operational, will significantly boost freight and passenger transport in the western corridor.
In addition, the GRA is exploring a partnership with the Ghana Shippers Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority, and Volta Lake Transport Company to establish a port at Mpakadan This initiative would facilitate freight movement from Tema to Buipe in the north, creating what Dr. Apoh described as an “economic corridor” to support the government’s proposed 24-hour economy policy.
During the engagement, Assemblyman for the Bethlehem Electoral Area, Hon. Richard Tsatsu appealed to the GRA to provide level crossings to safeguard lives. He noted that the railway line runs through densely populated areas, including the Tema Motorway Market and the livestock market.
In response, Dr. Apoh announced plans to deploy temporary staff with access to the Operational Control Centre (OCC). These personnel will be tasked with communicating train movements and raising level crossing alerts to prevent accidents.
With safety measures underway and resources mobilized, Dr. Apoh expressed hope that operations on the Tema-Mpakadan line will begin as early as next month.
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