Rehabilitation work on the narrow gauge line from Kojokrom-Tarkwa
Rehabilitation of 56 kilometres, of the existing narrow gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta would soon be completed to resume passenger rail services from Tarkwa to Takoradi for the first time since 2007.
The Minister of Railway Development, Joe Ghartey who disclosed this, indicated that rehabilitation works were being undertaken by Ghana Railway Company Limited.
He indicated that, detailed design of infrastructure including bridges and culverts had been completed between Takoradi and Manso, near Kojokrom.
Mr. Ghartey announced this at a public lecture organized by the Sekondi – Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, on “Railways revitalization and sustainable development: approach and opportunities”.
He noted, “Geotechnical and geological surveys between Takoradi – Tarkwa have also been completed”.
Mr. Ghartey pointed out that negotiations had been concluded with Messrs China Railway, Wuju Corporation for the continuation of the new standard gauge line to Dunkwa.
He also indicated that allocation had been made in the 2019 Budget to extend the rehabilitation works from Nsawam to Koforidua on the Eastern rail line and that the total Project Cost was estimated at GH¢134,632,915.00
The Minister however, mentioned that encroachment on the eastern line by squatters and petty traders as well as land acquisition and compensation were some of the challenges the sector needed to surmount.
Joe Ghartey revealed that his ministry had also finished rehabilitating the Railway Training School located at Essikado in the Western Region.
He pointed out that the Akufo-Addo government had worked tirelessly to transform the defunct Railway Training School into a world-class technical training institute as part of efforts to revamp the railway sector.
According to him, the training school was revived in collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) at Tarkwa.
He stressed that the hitherto active training institute currently had enough facilities for the running of tertiary courses to train technical personnel for industry, academia and entrepreneurship.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi