The Finance Minister of Ghana, Ken Ofori-Atta has announced plans to re-energise the railway sector.
The announcement came on November 15, as he presented the 2019 budget statement; under the theme “A Stronger Economy, for Jobs and Prosperity”, to Parliament.
The Finance Minister announced the start of the rehabilitation of the existing 56 km narrow gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta corridor which would be completed in 2019.
The development would restore passenger rail and freight services for the first time since 2007.
Work would also commence on the 70.8km narrow gauge sections of the Eastern Railway Line from Accra to Nsawam and Accra to Tema and will continue to Koforidua in 2019.
Ofori-Atta also touched on the feasibility studies that had been conducted on the proposed 596km Greenfield Railway Line from Kumasi to Paga, A.K.A the Central Spine and from which Phase 1 from Kumasi to Buipe section would start next year.
The following feasibility studies have also started and will be pursued in 2019:
a. Rail link on BOT basis between the Tema Port and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso;
b. Development of Metro / Light Rail Transit Systems in Accra and Kumasi such as the recently signed Accra Sky Train project;
c. Trans-ECOWAS line from Aflao through Cape Coast to Elubo and;
d. Re-development of the Central Line from Kotoku in the Greater Accra Region to Huni Valley in the Western Region.
The Finance Minister also expressed confidence that 2019 would witness the relaunch of the railway system in Ghana.
“The Railway Location Workshop, also at Essikado, is being modernised and equipped, and will be completed in 2019 to become a one-stop workshop to serve the railway, mining, petroleum and agricultural industries,” he said.
“We are confident, 2019 will witness the relaunch of the railway system in Ghana.”
By: ClaraDoku/techvoiceafrica.com
