News

Tema-Mpakadan railway inactive six months after official opening

Published

1 year ago

May 20, 2025

Six months after the official opening of the 97.7-kilometre Tema-Mpakadan railway operations on Friday, November 22, 2024, the much-publicised service remains inactive, dashing hopes of commuters for a more reliable alternative.

The standard gauge line, inaugurated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with two Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, was intended to improve both passenger and cargo movement along Ghana’s Eastern Corridor. But ongoing challenges have left the project dormant.

Constructed at a cost of US$447 million through a credit facility from the India Export-Import Bank, the Tema-Mpakadan line was billed as a step forward in Ghana’s efforts to revive its rail system.

It includes newly built stations at Adome, Kpone, Doryumu-Jokpanya-Kodiabe, Shai Hills, Afienya, Ashaiman, Tema Industrial Area, and Tema Port, as well as a 300-metre rail bridge across the Volta River near Senchi.

The project forms part of the Ghana–Burkina Faso interconnectivity initiative and is expected to link Tema Port to the inland port at Mpakadan.

From there, goods could be moved more easily to the north of Ghana and to landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger.

In a radio interview with Citi FM on Tuesday morning [May 20, 2025], Dr Frederick Appoh, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), said the start of commercial operations had been held back by repeated incidents of theft and vandalism.

According to him, about 75 per cent of the damage has so far been repaired, as part of a mitigation effort being led by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications.

Dr Appoh also cited the absence of private sector involvement as a major hurdle, saying the current state-run system has been inefficient and unable to generate enough revenue to maintain operations.

“In most parts of the world, the state owns the railway infrastructure while private companies run the trains,” he said, pointing out that countries such as Romania are exceptions to that model.

He said the GRDA is developing what he described as an “open access model” for the Tema-Mpakadan line, which will involve setting out track access charges and operational guidelines to attract private operators.

A market-sounding exercise is scheduled for June 2025 to court potential investors.

According to Dr Appoh, full commercial operations could begin by June 20, 2026.

The delay has disappointed many residents, especially those in communities that had hoped the rail service would reduce road congestion, lower transport costs, and provide quicker access for goods and people.

Dr Appoh said the economic value of the project remains promising.

He referred to Kenya’s Nairobi-Mombasa railway as an example, noting that it generated thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly.

He said a working railway system could support small businesses in areas such as welding and machine part servicing.

He admitted, though, that the lack of clear operating rules and procedures has discouraged private interest, something the GRDA is now trying to fix.

At the commissioning ceremony last year, President Akufo-Addo described the railway as a “lifeline” for local businesses and communities.

But an incident in April 2024, when a truck collided with a train during a test run, raised early concerns.

The truck driver was later sentenced to six months in prison.

graphic.com.gh

Energy

See The Areas That Will Be Affected By Power Outages On June 4

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced multiple power outages for Thursday, June 4, 2026, affecting communities in the Tema, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions, with a combination of planned and emergency maintenance exercises scheduled across the country.

In the Tema Area, a planned maintenance exercise will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. The affected areas include the Sea Water Desalination Plant, Maranatha, Buade, Glow Lamp, Frimpongmaa Estates, Abrantie, Dan Adams, Coastal Estates, Basket, GCB Training School, Ataa Adama, Royal Ravico, Junction Mall, Regimanuel Estates, Parakuo Estates, Queensland International School, Kpoo Keke, Best Western Premier Hotel, Leisure Hours Hotel, and extensive parts of Nungua including Zongo, Township, Traditional Council, Polyclinic and Secondary School. Also affected are the Kpeshie Divisional Police Headquarters, Coco Beach, Main 1, Father’s Hotel, C5 and surrounding areas. The notice was originally issued on Monday, June 1.

In the Eastern Region, a planned maintenance exercise will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm, affecting Sekesua, Anyamoni, Oterkpolu, Bukonor, Asesewa, Akateng and surrounding areas. This notice was originally issued on Tuesday, 2nd June.

The Central Region will experience a planned outage from 9:00am to 3:30pm, affecting Brimso Headworks, Akaikrom, Police Barrier, Ankaful Junction, Mpeasem, WAEC, Yayaaikawa, Wanyiwato, part of Dominase, Duakyimase and surrounding areas.

In the Western Region, ECG will undertake two separate exercises. The first is an emergency maintenance from 10:00am to 2:00pm, affecting Dixcove, Busua, Cape 3, Agona Damtsi, GREL and surrounding areas. The second is another emergency maintenance from 9:00am to 4:00pm, affecting Akoon, UEE, parts of Market Circle, Railway Quarters, Apinto Hospital, Cyanide, Kwabedu, Alhaji Dauda, New Atuabo, Budo City, Banso, Esuosu and surrounding areas.

ECG has expressed regret for the inconvenience that will arise from all these exercises. The company has advised affected customers to make alternative arrangements for power-dependent activities during the specified hours.

All notices were originally issued between Monday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. ECG assured that power supply would be restored to all affected areas upon completion of the scheduled maintenance works. Customers have been encouraged to contact ECG’s official communication channels for further updates.

graphic.com.gh

General News

Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Thursday, 4th June, 2026

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

General News

Assin Edubiase: School Bus ‘Plunges’ Into River, Two Pupils Killed

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

AladdynKing

Tragedy struck when a school bus transporting more than 40 pupils of a preparatory school at Assin Edubiase in the Assin South District of the Central Region veered off the road and plunged into a river.

It resulted in the death of two kindergarten pupils of the Alice Elites Academy.

The deceased, a three-year-old and a five-year-old, were among pupils who were in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus with registration number AS 2218-20.

The accident occurred on the Assin Kwafokrom-Homaho stretch on Monday [June 1, 2026].

Graphic Online understands that the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, it veered off the road, and plunged into the river.

Dozens of pupils got injured.

ASP Wonder Lumor from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Central North Regional Police Command told Graphic Online that the 40 injured pupils were transported to health facilities for emergency medical care.

According to him, 22 of the victims were taken to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital, while the 18 others received treatment at the Assin Edubiase Health Centre.

ASP Lumor explained that all the injured pupils responded positively to treatment and were later discharged.

graphic.com.gh