President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has highlighted the importance of the newly inaugurated Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line in transforming the country’s transport infrastructure and driving economic growth.
According to him, the railway shows his government’s commitment to modernise the country’s transport infrastructure to drive the economic growth of the country.
“This historic achievement, the first ever standard gauge railway line in Ghana symbolises the bold strides we are making to modernise our transport infrastructure to drive the economic growth of our nation. This project is proof of what is possible when vision, commitment, and hard work align.
“As president, I pledge to prioritise the revival and expansion of Ghana’s railway sector, and today we take another giant leap forward in fulfilling that promise,” he stated when he inaugurated the railway line on Friday.
The newly completed 97-kilometre standard gauge railway line connects seven stations along the Tema-Mpakadan route. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to phase out outdated narrow gauge rail systems and replace them with more efficient and modern infrastructure.
In addition to the railway line, President Akufo-Addo also inaugurated two Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, procured at a cost of $4.2 million. These trains are designed specifically for the standard gauge railway and are expected to enhance passenger transport along the corridor.
The railway line is expected to drive economic growth by facilitating trade, reducing road congestion, and creating jobs in the transportation and logistics sectors.
The Minister for Railway Development, John Peter Amewu,indicated that the new railway line and DMU trains will reduce travel time from Tema to Mpakadan from three hours to under one hour, greatly benefiting individuals traveling from Akosombo, through Afienya to Tema.
