The Rail line
The approximately 78 kilometers rail line project from Manso to Huni Valley in the Western Region is progressing steadily.
The standard gauge rail line project is part of the development of the entire Western Railway Line.
It is being executed by Amandi Investment Limited with funds from the Deutsche Bank Credit Facility.
The €500 million project was expected to be completed within 42 months after President Nana Akufo-Addo had cut the sod for it commencement in July 2022.
The western line, which starts from Sekondi-Takoradi to Kumasi, was constructed in 1903.
The line is a major route for the transportation of minerals and other bulk commodities such as cocoa, bauxite, manganese, cement, flour and petroleum products.
Owing to the importance of the railways sector, the current government decided to develop the sector to return it to its profitable and vibrant days, upon assumption in office.
Over the last six years, the government had laid a solid foundation for the sector by committing to the development of the sector.
According to available statistics, between 2012 and 2017, the only addition to the rail lines was a kilometer narrow gauge from Sekondi-Takoradi and Kojokrom.
Upon assumption of office in 2017, the current government was determined to change the statistics, because the presence of efficient railways system was important to the progress and prosperity of the country.
It was also because the rail transportation provided the most appropriate means of haulage of heavy goods such as minerals, bauxite and petroleum products.
The determination by the government to revive the rail sector led to the establishment of the Ministry of Railways Development.
Sources has it that key among the rail projects currently ongoing is the development of a new standard gauge railway line between Tema and Mpakadan in the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi