Mobilise partnerships, investments to improve railway sector — Transport Minister

An 11-member board for the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has been inaugurated with a charge on the members to help mobilise partnerships, investments and the innovation required to improve the railway sub-sector.

They have also been urged to act with professionalism, integrity and a shared commitment towards excellence in delivering a railway system that truly works for Ghanaians.

The board is chaired by Richard Aburi-Yinga Anamoo and has Dr Frederick Appoh, George Lomotey, George Debrah, Komla Wogbemase Ofori and Dr Audrey Smock Amoah as members.

Other members are Kwame Kwaakye, James Kofi Kutsoati, Nafisatu Iddrisu and Tanko Mohammed.

The 11th member, who is the representative from the Ministry of Finance, will be sworn in later.

Per the Railways Act of 2008 (Act 779), the GRDA plays a pivotal role in the planning, development of infrastructure and the regulation of the railway industry in the country, and the swearing-in of the board was in line with section 4 (2) of the railways Act which requires the appointment of a board of directors of the authority by the President in accordance with Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution.

Challenges

Addressing the board after leading them to swear the Oath of Office and Secrecy at a ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, expressed the hope that the board would provide strategic leadership and ensure regulatory oversight.

He said the development of the railway system in the country had, over the years, suffered setbacks due to many challenges, some of which he mentioned as obsolete infrastructure and rolling stock, poor maintenance practices, human resource capacity challenges and inadequate finance, which, he said, had contributed to the decline of the sector.

Revamp rail transport

The Transport Minister said revamping the railway system of the country was not just about laying tracks, but laying the foundations for industrial growth, improving logistics and trade, connecting communities and creating sustainable jobs.

He said a modern railway system eased the pressure on the roads, reduced transport costs and enhanced movement of goods and people within the country and beyond, adding that it is the reason the work of the GRDA was so vital.

“Railway operations are currently at unacceptable levels due to the poor nature of the railway tracks across the entire 947km narrow gauge network,” he added.

Mr Nikpe was hopeful that the new board would work tirelessly to partner the private sector to help achieve the aspirations of President John Dramani Mahama, "to revamp the ailing railway infrastructure."

He, however, cautioned the board to stick to its mandate so as not to assume the role of management.

Board

Speaking on behalf of the board, Mr Anamoo, said in spite of the railway being a major transport system aside from air, sea and road, the rail as a mode of transport had  disappeared.

He said it was obvious that the absence of rail transport was a major disaster for the country.

Mr Anamoo also expressed concern about the stress on the motorway and other roads from trucks which transported goods from the Tema Port to the Ashanti Region, and said no matter the amount of money spent to develop these roads, they would not last.

Mr Anamoo, therefore, assured the Minister of Transport that the board would rise to the challenge.