Saboteurs offer GH¢20 inducement to derail and destroy new Tema-Afienya train
An ongoing investigation by the Ghana Railway Development Authority and the Ghana Police Service has uncovered a plot by suspected saboteurs to disrupt the new train service introduced on the Tema-Afienya route, Graphic Online has gathered.
There have been two incidents this week in an attempt to destroy or derail the new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train recently acquired by the railway company with support from the government, to help revamp its operations.
The DMU is currently being used to provide passenger services between Tema and Afienya on a newly constructed railway line between Tema and Mpakadan.
In the first incident, which happened on Monday [Oct 20, 2025], a minor was reportedly coerced into throwing stones at the moving train and ended up destroying the windshield in the frontage. [See photo below]
In the second incident, which happened the following day, Tuesday [Oct 21, 2025], another attempt was made to sabotage the railway by placing a stone on the tracks in an apparent effort to derail the train.
Two suspects have since been picked up by the police, a 10-year-old boy and another suspect, who are said to be linked to both incidents.
The investigation, currently still in its preliminary stages is showing that some suspected saboteurs paid ¢20 cedis each to the suspects as an inducement for them to carry out the act, though investigators have not yet determined the motive.
This week's incident makes it the second time there has been an attempt to sabotage the smooth operation of the train service in that area.
In April 2024, at a time, the Ghana Railway Development Authority was testing the newly acquired DMU on the new track, a driver parked a truck on the rail line and it caused an accident damaging the train.
Read also: Truck parked on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line caused the train accident - Police
After that incident, the train service on the route was suspended. The new train was later repaired with the insurance cover, the passenger service did not immediately resume until October this year [2025].
On October 1, 2025, the railway development authority and the Ministry of Transport reactivated commercial operations on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line.
Related article: Tema-Mpakadan rail services reactivated by Ghana Railways Dev Authority
When Graphic Online's Benjamin Xornam Glover contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr. Frederick Appoh, he confirmed the two incidents this week and the ongoing investigations and expressed disbelief and disappointment that anyone would deliberately endanger lives and national progress.
He condemned the act of vandalism with the stones used to destroy the windshield and the attempt to derail a moving train and described it as a “reckless act of sabotage."
This, he said, has prompted swift security and repair measures under the ongoing Railway Reset Agenda.
He confirmed the arrest of two persons, a 10-year-old boy, and his father, in connection with the Monday incident.
He said the boy hurled a stone at the moving train on Monday evening when the train was completing its final trip of the day from the Afienya Station toward Tema.
He said the stone was thrown directly at the train’s windscreen, damaging it while 184 passengers were on board.
“We tried catching the person, and we managed to apprehend a minor—about 10 years old—who was involved. The man who was seen running away turned out to be his father, and he managed to escape,” he explained.
Second attempt and arrest
Dr Appoh said the following day, Tuesday [Oct 21, 2025], another attempt was made to sabotage the railway by placing a stone on the tracks in an apparent effort to derail the train.
He said security teams intervened quickly, preventing what he said could have been a “catastrophic” accident.
Dr Appoh said Police investigations led to the arrest of two individuals believed to be connected to both incidents.
The minor involved has since been handed over to the Juvenile Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
“We have arrested two people. The child has been given to the juvenile authorities because of his age,” he confirmed adding that “Information from the minor has helped us identify others believed to be involved.”
He said preliminary findings suggest the suspects may have been paid GH¢20 cedis to carry out the act, though investigators have not yet determined the motive.
Swift response and reinforced security
Dr Appoh said following the incidents, the Ghana Railway Development Authority has reinforced security along the Afienya–Tema rail corridor, deploying additional personnel to patrol and monitor the tracks.
“We are doing whatever we can to run a very safe railway line for the good people of Tema and Adomi enclaves,” the official said. “The threat is constant, but our response is stronger.”
He said the damaged windscreen has been temporarily repaired, and the train was back in operation.
He said the damage was not severe enough to halt service, and full replacement of the screen was expected within the next two weeks.
“The train is back on track. We have repaired the damage and decided to continue operations while we prepare for a full replacement soon,” Dr Appoh said adding, “We don’t want to halt service unnecessarily, but safety remains our top priority.”
He described the attacks as “reckless and dangerous,” emphasising that such acts would not derail Ghana’s ongoing Railway Reset Agenda, an ambitious initiative to modernise the nation’s railway network.
He urged the public to report suspicious activity along railway lines and to support law enforcement efforts to safeguard national infrastructure.
Writer's email benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
Enoch Darfah Frimpong contributed to this report
