President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will this morning inaugurate the Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line and two Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains at the Tema Railhead opposite the Golden Jubilee Terminal.
The ceremony, scheduled for today (Friday, 22 November 2024) at 10am marks a milestone in Ghana’s railway modernisation efforts.
The newly completed 97-kilometre standard gauge railway line connects seven stations along the Tema-Mpakadan route. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to phase out outdated narrow gauge rail systems and replace them with more efficient and modern infrastructure.
The two DMU trains, procured at a cost of $4.2 million, are designed specifically for the standard gauge railway and are expected to enhance passenger transport along the corridor. Commercial passenger services commenced earlier this year, providing a faster, more comfortable alternative to road transport for commuters in the region
In an earlier interview with the Daily Graphic, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Yaw Owusu, emphasised the transformative impact of the railway project.
“This marks the beginning of replacing our outdated narrow gauge rail lines with modern, efficient systems,” he said.
He also expressed optimism about the potential of the railway system to contribute to Ghana’s economic development by improving connectivity and reducing transportation costs.
The Tema-Mpakadan railway line forms part of a larger ambition to create an integrated transport network in Ghana. The initiative is expected to drive economic growth by facilitating trade, reducing road congestion, and creating jobs in the transportation and logistics sectors.