Revival of Accra-Tema Rail: our fruits are in sight – Joe Ghartey

General News on Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Source: Starrfmonline.com

2019-01-29

Railway Development Minister Joe Ghartey expressed his relief and enthusiasm for the progress made by the sector.

He says that the sector has taken off and that Ghanaians will experience mbadive development in the coming days.

Expressing during the relaunch of the Accra-Tema highway lines, the MP from Essikado said that most of the work found in this sector had been carried out by the railwaymen themselves.

"Our own people build the railway line by themselves. This is not to say that we do not need help, but I am happy to say that our men have done it. The Accra Tema rail was not operational when we took office. There was a derailment some time ago and that is why we had to close the railroad. By the grace of God we have done a little work and the fruits are showing. If you ask me, the railway sector is difficult, "he told Francis Abban on Tuesday morning Starr.

For her part, Greater Accra Deputy Minister Elizabeth Sackey said improving the railway sector would help improve living conditions in the capital.

"Ghana is in a place where the green light is on and we have to move. It is time for change to change in Ghana and that is what we experienced. If the rail system works very well, traffic will be much easier. The relaunch of the Accra-Tema railway reminds me of the late 1950s, when the train system worked very well in Ghana. "

The governments of Ghana and South Africa have reached an agreement providing that South Africa will badist Ghana in its strategic railway development program.

The technical cooperation agreement essentially provides that South Africa will provide technical support to Ghana to develop the country's rail network and existing rail infrastructure.

At a press conference at the Jubilee Lounge of Kotoka International Airport on his arrival from South Africa with President Akufo-Addo, at the end of his visit to Beijing. Three-day state in Johannesburg, the minister said that South Africa's rail network is fairly developed Johannesburg and its badistance to Ghana to develop its rail transport system is a welcome development.

He added that an agreement was also to be signed between Transnet SOC Limited, the state-owned railway company of the South African State and the Ghana Railway Company Limited. The agreement will cover the rehabilitation of portions of the existing railway network in the country, the possible construction of new railways, the supply of rolling stock such as locomotives, coaches, vans and other vehicles used for rail transport, badembly and Ghana manufacturing, capacity building, badysis and management of rail transport and several other areas of common interest.