Rehabilitation of 56-km Kojokrom to Tarkwa railway nearing completion

Rehabilitation work on the 56-kilometre railway line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta in the Western Region is nearing completion.

When completed by next it would lead to the restoration of passenger rail services from Tarkwa to Takoradi for the first time since 2007.

The rehabilitation work, the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nlrumah, said had led to significant reduction in the number of derailment and incidents recorded on the line while the freight service from the manganese mine, at Nsuta to Takoradi was in operation.

Speaking at the bi-weekly press briefing in Accra Wednesday morning, he explained that in 2017 due to the total deterioration of the Western Line, a total of 700 major and minor incidents were recorded including derailments.

“The average incidents, including derailments, since January 2018 when rehabilitation commenced in earnest, are five incidents per month; down from an average of 60 incidents per month in 2017. The aim is to reduce the incidents to the barest minimum and make it an exception rather than the rule,” he said.

He said the construction of a new standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Manso also in the Western Region, covering a distance of 22km, and being funded by the government was also progressing steadily.

On the Eastern railway line, he said rehabilitation of the Achimota to Tema section of the Line is approximately 90 per cent complete and test runs had commenced.

“Work is ongoing on the Achimota to Accra Central section of the line and the Achimota to Nsawam section of the line and this will be completed before the end of 2018.

Ten (10) existing passenger coaches have undergone refurbishment. This will enhance passenger comfort when the sub-urban commuter services re-open on this line.

Below is a copy of the minister's address at the press briefing

Opening Remarks

Good morning and welcome to our Midweek briefing. I am grateful to you all for honoring our invitation.
Ladies and gentlemen our engagement this morning will focus on two topics...

They include
1. Parliament expected to approve the construction of 10 Coastal Fishing Harbours and Landing sites for the Fisheries Sector.

2. Work in Railway sector records significant progress.

 Parliament expected to approve the construction of 10 Coastal Fishing Harbours and Landing sites for the Fisheries Sector.

Parliament is expected to soon approve the construction of 10 Coastal Fishing Harbours and Landing Sites. This follows a recent Cabinet approval to the commercial and financial agreement for these projects and a recommendation from Cabinet to Parliament for consideration and approval by Parliament.

A total amount of 235 million dollars has been earmarked for these projects situated in selected

The government’s vision to transform Ghana’s fishing industry is clearly stated in the NPP’s 2016 manifesto, under Agriculture and Rural Development, on pages 18 and 19... and includes a key pillar that says ‘Top of the agenda for fisheries will be the programme of building landing sites and storage facilities”

The ten identified sites where the landing sites and related facilities will be constructed include

• Teshie Greater Accra Region
• Axim Western Region
• Dixcove Western Region
• Elmina Central Region
• Winneba Central Region
• Mumford Central Region
• Senya- Bereku Central Region
• Fetteh-Gomah Central Region
• Moree Central Region
• Keta Volta Region

Benefits

The development of the fish landing sites and ports is aimed at ensuring safe guard launching and landing of particularly, artisanal fishing and canoes
It is also aimed at creating and maintaining a hygienic environment for the processing and handling of fish.
Preventing and minimising post harvest losses and adding value to the fish caught by artisanal fishermen.

Ladies and gentlemen

The fisheries sector plays a major role in the Ghanaian national economy. It contributes to 3% of GDP and also has significant indirect contributions to the economy. These include employment opportunities for marine fishermen, boat-yards workers, suppliers of auxiliary goods, services etc and exporting of the fish products to earn foreign exchange for the country.

It is estimated that up to 12% of total national fish product is exported. The completion of this project is expected to increase exports volumes and directly increase the foreign exchange earnings of the country.

 Work in Railway sector records significant progress.

Ladies and Gentlemen
The Railway Sector has seen some major rehabilitation works in less than 2 years of the Akufo-Addo led administration.

Western Line
Rehabilitation of sections of existing narrow gauge

The rehabilitation of the existing 56km narrow gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta is nearing completion. This 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 the spectacular reduction of the number of derailments and incidents that occur on the line.

In 2017 due to the total deterioration of the Western Line, a total of 700 major and minor incidents were recorded including derailments.

The average incidents, including derailments, since January 2018 when rehabilitation commenced in earnest, are five (5) incidents per month; down from an average of 60 incidents per month in 2017. The aim is to reduce the incidents to the barest minimum and make it an exception rather than the rule.

Construction of the new standard gauge line

The construction of the new standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Manso, a distance of 22km, is also progressing steadily. This is being funded by the Government of Ghana.

Eastern Line

The Ghana Railway Company Limited, with its own workforce, commenced rehabilitation works on the 70.8km narrow gauge section of the Eastern Railway Line from Accra to Nsawam and Accra to Tema. Rehabilitation of the Achimota to Tema section of the Line is approximately 90% complete and test runs have commenced.

Work is ongoing on the Achimota to Accra Central section of the line and the Achimota to Nsawam section of the line and this will be completed before the end of 2018.

Ten (10) existing passenger coaches have undergone refurbishment. This will enhance passenger comfort when the sub-urban commuter services re-open on this line.

Construction of a New Standard Gauge

The procurement process to develop a new standard gauge line for the Eastern Railway Line with a distance of about 340km is ongoing. This is from Accra-Tema to Kumasi with a branch line from Busoso to Kyebi. Eight (8) consortia submitted their final bids on October 11th 2018. Government will complete negotiations with the most preferred Concessionaire before the end of this year to develop the project on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

Central Spine

Feasibility Studies have been undertaken by Government on the proposed 596km Greenfield railway line from Kumasi to Paga, (the Central Spine). The construction of the rail line will be undertaken in sections; the Kumasi to Buipe section, the Buipe to Tamale section and the Tamale to Paga with a branch line from Tamale to Yendi.

This is significant because this will be the first time since 1898 when the British introduced the railways into the then Gold Coast that the railways with go beyond Kumasi. The President promised that we will get to Paga and his vision is on course.

Ghana – Burkina Railway Interconnectivity Project

A Permanent Joint Committee of Experts from both Ghana and Burkina Faso was established in December 2017 to facilitate the development of a rail link between the Tema Port and Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina. The activities of the Committee led to the engagement of a Transaction Advisor whose services encompasses undertaking feasibility studies and providing technical advice to both countries in the engagement of a private sector investor(s) to develop the line on BOT basis. A shortlist of twelve (12) prospective Concessionaires has been made following an Expression of Interest process. It is the expectation that the international procurement process will be completed in 2019 to pave way for the construction of the line to commence in 2019.

Development of Metro / Light Rail Transit Systems
Feasibility studies commenced in 2018 with the objective to identify and map-out the right-of-way for the development of Metro / Light Rail Transit Systems in Accra and Kumasi. The vision will be pursued in 2019 to address the negative impacts of congestion in Accra and Kumasi.

GRCL has also signed an MOU with the George Grant University for Mines and Technology, at Tarkwa, to transform the Training School into an accredited tertiary institution. Under this MOU, the school will, in 2019, commence to run courses in railways related subjects such as railways engineering, signalling and telecommunication and infrastructural development to build a core of Ghanaians professionals in the railway sector.
The Railway Location Workshop is also being modernized and equipped to become a one stop workshop to serve the railway, mining, petroleum and agricultural industries in Ghana. Two out of the seven workshops have been rehabilitated this year.

Thanks you all.