President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Transport to begin work on extending the railway line from Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave in the Greater Accra Region.
The directive was issued during a meeting with organised labour, led by TUC Secretary General Joshua Ansah, to discuss concerns including outstanding salary arrears owed to workers in the railway sector.
President Mahama explained that the railway extension is crucial as the country awaits the completion of the Mpakadan Inland Port on the Volta Lake. The Tema-Dawa railway link, he said, will facilitate the efficient movement of cargo from Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave—one of Ghana’s major emerging industrial zones.
In addition to cargo, the railway line will serve as a critical commuter route, particularly easing transportation for workers commuting from the Ashaiman area to Dawa.
Addressing Salary Arrears and Worker Transfers
On the issue of salary arrears, President Mahama assured labour leaders that the Minister of Finance will be briefed and allocations will be made to clear all outstanding payments.
He further revealed that based on recommendations from the Minister of Transport, over 100 railway workers will be transferred from the Western Region to Tema to help manage operations on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line. Retiring workers, he added, will be fairly compensated.
Reuse of Old Railway Tracks
In a related directive, the President instructed the Ministry of Transport to ensure that old railway tracks are dismantled by railway workers themselves. He also ordered that the scrap metal be transported directly to factories for recycling, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to sustainable practices and job preservation within the sector.
Labour’s Appreciation
In response, TUC Secretary General Joshua Ansah expressed gratitude to President Mahama for his swift attention to the issues raised by organised labour, particularly those affecting railway workers.
