The Ministry of Transport has defended the government’s acquisition of two refurbished diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, insisting the investment will strengthen Ghana’s railway freight operations and deliver long-term economic value.
In a statement dated Thursday, July 3, the Ministry dismissed claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the imported Class 56 locomotives were obsolete, describing such assertions as based on “a fundamental misunderstanding of railway engineering and locomotive operations.”
According to the Ministry, the locomotives underwent extensive refurbishment in the United Kingdom, including overhauls of their engines, traction systems, bogies and brake systems, before being certified for export.
It added that the locomotives are covered by a five-year warranty and are expected to remain operational for at least 15 years with routine maintenance.
Defending the investment, the Ministry stated, “The rolling stock investment cost will be recovered within about two years while providing at least fifteen additional years of productive service. That is not waste. That is value for money. That is not propaganda. That is practical railway economics.”
The Ministry also rejected claims that the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) lacks the equipment to support freight operations on the Tema-Mpakadan railway.
“The claim that GRDA lacks lifting equipment is therefore factually inaccurate, technically uninformed and politically mischievous,” it said.
It further disclosed that the current administration acquired the locomotives and 20 container wagons for about GH¢37.6 million (US$3.18 million), arguing that the purchase represents better value compared to previous railway rolling stock acquisitions.
According to the Ministry, the locomotives are intended to transport containers and industrial cargo between Tema Port and Mpakadan, reduce logistics costs, ease pressure on the country’s roads and generate sustainable revenue for the railway sector.
