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

Education

Over 10 Students Arrested Over Okuapeman-Mount Sinai SHS Clash

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

AladdynKing

More than 10 students have been apprehended in connection with the clashes between Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The arrests follow reprisal attacks between students of the two schools, which resulted in the burning and destruction of several structures on both campuses in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, September 2, Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, said some of the students fled their schools when the police arrived. Still, he warned that their absence would not prevent the police from arresting them.

“We have apprehended them. And there are more,” he said, adding that the police are compiling a comprehensive list of all persons involved in the violence.

He disclosed that the investigation had also uncovered information suggesting that some teachers may have encouraged students to attack their counterparts.

According to him, the police have obtained the names of teachers allegedly linked to the incident and will take action against them if investigations establish their involvement.

“We have the names of the teachers. They have nowhere to go. At the appropriate time, we will arrest all of them, and their names will be published,” DCOP Owusu-Bempah warned.

DCOP Owusu-Bempah assured the public that anyone found to have participated in the violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law, while urging students to return to school and cooperate with the investigation.

He also appealed against any interference in the police process, warning that such actions could undermine efforts to restore calm and ensure accountability.

At Okuapeman SHS, six students were injured and taken to hospital following the incident. The school’s Headmaster said four of the students had since been treated and discharged, while two remained on admission as of Wednesday.

The exact trigger for the clashes remains unclear, but the police have begun investigations to establish what led to the confrontation and identify all those responsible.

citinewsroom.com

Education

GES Releases National Harmonised Prospectus For 2026/27 SHS Admissions

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

AladdynKing

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the release of the National Harmonised Prospectus for prospective Senior High School (SHS) and Senior High Technical School (SHTS) students for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The prospectus is intended to guide parents and students on the essential items required for enrolment, covering both boarding and day students.

GES has urged parents and students preparing for the next stage of their education to carefully review the prospectus and make the necessary preparations ahead of the commencement of the new academic year.

Schools and other relevant stakeholders have also been directed to adhere to the requirements outlined in the prospectus to ensure a smooth, consistent and standardised admission process nationwide.

The release of the prospectus comes ahead of the announcement of school placements and is expected to help newly admitted students and their parents adequately prepare for enrolment once placements are released.

Parents and prospective students are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the approved requirements to avoid challenges during the admission process.

Below is the list of items outlined in the prospectus that parents and guardians are required to acquire for their wards: