Operations on the US $3.1m Accra-Nsawam rehabilitated train service in Ghana is set to commence by the end of January 2019 says CEO of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Richard Dombo.
He added that a section of the Kotoku-Nsawam line will require additional work to strengthen the structural integrity of the track, dealing with encroachment and removal of unauthorised level crossings which resulted in the delays to commence the Accra – Nsawam shuttle service before the end of 2018 as planned.
Ghana Railway Company Limited is still running free services for rail commuters which started from January 8 to January 19 on the Tema-Accra line as part of its 120th Anniversary Celebration. Passengers will pay US $1 as a standard rate afterwards.
Dombo also said rehabilitation work on the 56-km narrow gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta is nearing completion, and will lead to the restoration of passenger rail services from Tarkwa to Takoradi for the first time since 2007.
“The freight service from the manganese mine at Nsuta to Takoradi is in operation, and the ongoing rehabilitation has also led to a spectacular reduction in the number of derailments and incidents that occur on the line,” said Dombo.
Rehabilitation of the Accra-Nsawam railway line became necessary following a derailment of an Accra bound Diesel unit. The ministry decided to rehabilitate sections of the Eastern line.
The contract was signed in 2017 and was expected to be completed in seven months but extend due to unforeseen circumstances. Reviving Ghana Railways Company Limited gave 300 young people permanent work. Joe Ghartey, the Minister for Railways Development revealed that construction of the new standard gauge Eastern Rail Line will commence soon after the rehabilitation.
