The ground has been broken for the Western Railway's Manso to Huni Valley section by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The nearly 78-kilometer railway, which is anticipated to be finished in 42 months, would be one of the main haulage lines in the nation and assist in modernising the operations of the Ghana Railways Company Limited.
The infrastructure will transition from narrow gauge to standard gauge, the nation's new benchmark for train lines. Amandi Investment Limited will carry out the project for a cost of €500 million, with money provided by the Deutsche Bank Credit Facility.President Akufo-Addo issued a warning to saboteurs yesterday at the sod-cutting event at Manso in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region.
"Let me underline also the government's intention to offer the enabling environment for the development and expansion of the rail transport sector to the globally accepted standards," he said, assuring the project's funding availability.
Apart from the detrimental effects that illegal mining had on the railway right of way within the Tarkwa Municipality, which had necessitated design changes and increased construction costs, the President claimed that "some unpatriotic people have resorted to stealing the vital components of the steel, including the rail tracks."
Warning
Such trends, the president Akufo-Addo cautioned, not only raise concerns but also impede growth.
The President issued a stern warning, saying, "I want to sound a strong word of warning that people perpetrating these illegal activities will take the law's course and the relevant consequences will be implemented."
The moment, he added, has come for everyone to assist the growth of the rail industry in order to bring it back to its lucrative and lively days because of the importance of the trains sector.
Foundation
The administration, according to the President, committed to the sector's growth during the previous five years, laying a strong basis for it. He noted that between 2012 and 2017, Sekondi-Takoradi and Kojokrom's kilometer-long narrow gauge line was the only expansion to the lines.
As soon as I took office again in 2017, I vowed to improve the statistics because having an effective train infrastructure is crucial to the development and prosperity of our country, the President added.
He lamented that this had resulted in the Ministry of Railways Development's re-establishment, which was already showing signs of success.
The construction of a new standard gauge railway line between Tema and Mpakadan in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, the President noted, was a significant project among the ongoing rail ones.
The 22-km portion of the Western Railway Line from Kojokrom to Manso is expected to be finished by the end of the year, according to President Akufo-Addo, who observed that the project was on track.
Transportation by rail
For his side, John Peter Amewu, minister of railways, claimed that heavy items like minerals, bauxite, and petroleum products could be transported via rail transportation the most effectively.
As a result of the variety of goods, he added, "others in line for transportation along the corridor include cement, cocoa, and lumber, which also have the potential for haulage on their respective expected quantities."
Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, emphasised to the populace the government's dedication to the nation's growth.
He mentioned several current initiatives and promised that the government will not fail the area.
Background
The main route for the shipment of minerals is the western rail line, built in 1903, which runs from Sekondi-Takoradi to Kumasi.