President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the Ministry of Transport to initiate the extension of the railway line from Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave, a move aimed at strengthening cargo logistics and improving worker mobility in the Greater Accra Region.
The President emphasized that the project should proceed alongside ongoing preparations for the Mpakadan Inland Port on the Volta Lake, ensuring that Tema Port remains efficiently connected to industrial hubs while facilitating the daily commute of workers from nearby communities such as Ashaiman.
The directive was issued during a meeting with Organized Labour, led by TUC Secretary General Joshua Ansah, convened to discuss persistent salary arrears in the railway sector. President Mahama confirmed that the Ministry of Finance would be briefed to allocate the necessary funds to clear the outstanding payments.
Highlighting workforce management, the President approved the redeployment of more than 100 railway employees from the Western Region to Tema to operate the Tema-Mpakadan line. He also reassured that retired railway personnel would receive proper compensation.
On infrastructure management, President Mahama instructed that dismantling of obsolete railway tracks be carried out exclusively by trained railway staff, with recovered metals directed straight to factories for recycling, promoting both sustainability and safety.
The TUC Secretary General expressed appreciation for the President’s immediate response, noting the positive impact on workers and the broader transport sector.
The meeting brought together key officials, including Presidential Adviser Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, and CEO of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr Frederick Appoh.
