Akufo-Addo commissions Tema-Mpakadan railway line and diesel trains

In a landmark achievement for Ghana’s transportation infrastructure, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated the nation’s first-ever Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line and Diesel Multiple Unit Trains.
The commissioning ceremony, held in Tema, symbolizes a significant stride towards modernizing Ghana’s transport network to catalyze economic growth and regional integration.
The $447 million project, financed through a credit facility from India Exim Bank, includes a 100-kilometer railway line and a 300-meter bridge over the Volta River. It is part of a broader effort by the Akufo-Addo administration to revive and expand Ghana’s railway system, which has long been recognized as a vital engine for industrialization and economic development.

Transforming transportation in Ghana
Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the strategic importance of railways as an efficient mode of transport for bulk goods and large numbers of people.
“Railways are the linchpin for reducing the cost of doing business and fostering regional integration. This conviction led to the establishment of the Ministry of Railways Development in 2017, tasked with the singular mission of designing and executing policies and programs to build a modern railway system,” the President stated.
The Tema-Mpakadan railway line is a crucial component of Ghana’s first multimodal transport system, integrating rail, road, and inland water transport.
The system links Tema Port to Buipe Port via the Volta Lake, facilitating seamless movement of goods and people across the country and into neighboring landlocked nations.

Key benefits of the project
President Akufo-Addo outlined the transformative impact of the railway line, highlighting its potential to:

Reduce road congestion
By shifting long-distance freight and passenger transport from roads to rail, the project aims to alleviate severe traffic, decrease road maintenance costs, and reduce road accidents.

Enhance port efficiency
The railway will minimize vessel waiting times and container dwelling times, improving Tema Port’s competitiveness.

Boost trade and agriculture
By lowering freight costs, the railway will enhance the profitability of agricultural enterprises along the Volta Lake and promote economic activities in northern Ghana.
Additionally, the integration of rail and inland water transport is expected to transform trade logistics, reduce transportation costs, and foster sustainable development across the country.

Continuity and gratitude
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that the project was initially conceived under the administration of former President John A. Kufuor, praising it as a testament to the importance of continuity in governance for national development.
He also expressed gratitude to the government and people of India for their financial support and commended the communities affected by the project for their cooperation and resilience.

A vision for the future
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the railway network under Ghana’s revised 2020 Railway Master Plan.
“The Tema-Mpakadan railway line is just one piece of a larger puzzle. We will continue to expand Ghana’s railway network to unlock the full potential of our economy,” he noted.
This bold initiative underscores the Akufo-Addo administration’s dedication to sustainable infrastructure development, laying a solid foundation for economic transformation and regional connectivity.