The Ministry of Transport has stepped up efforts to address long-standing salary arrears for railway workers, who have gone nearly a year without pay and threatened a nationwide strike on September 30, 2025.
The Railway Workers Union of Ghana (RWU) had warned that if their concerns were not resolved, operations across the country would be halted and members would stage a peaceful mass protest, citing severe financial hardship caused by unpaid wages.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, September 17, Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe acknowledged the industry’s neglect over the years and assured that the government is taking immediate steps to restore workers’ salaries.
“The railway industry has suffered neglect, and President Mahama has shown commitment to revitalise it to meet demand. The Ghana Railway Company’s operations have declined, affecting its capacity to generate internal revenue to pay staff and cover operations. We have engaged with the Ministry of Finance to find a sustainable solution going forward,” he said.
Minister Nikpe emphasized that ensuring workers’ welfare is a top priority, noting that payments are close to being processed.
He also highlighted broader reforms to modernize the railway system, including collaborating with security agencies and the Lands Commission to clear encroachers from railway lines and secure land titles.
