Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has unveiled plans to develop a 1,012-kilometre railway line linking the Takoradi Port to Hamile in the Upper West Region as part of efforts to position Ghana as a major transit and logistics hub for landlocked Sahel countries.
The proposed project is expected to facilitate the movement of cargo from Takoradi Port directly to Hamile for onward transportation to neighbouring countries, while reducing the pressure heavy-duty trucks place on Ghana’s road network.
Speaking on the initiative, the Finance Minister expressed concern about the damage caused by overloaded vehicles on the country’s roads and warned that stricter sanctions would soon be introduced to tackle the problem.
“My problem here is these vehicles that are overloading and destroying the roads. We will ensure that overloading and destroying this investment that we are making becomes a thing of the past, and it will come with very punitive measures,” he said.
According to Dr Forson, the railway project forms part of a long-term strategy to provide a more efficient and sustainable transport solution for countries in the Sahel region.
“The long term and the medium term is for us to have a railway that will serve our brothers and sisters in the Sahel. Bring your goods to Takoradi and they will be hauled straight by rail to Hamile,” he stated.
The rail corridor is expected to boost cross-border trade, reduce transportation costs, preserve road infrastructure and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness as a preferred transit destination in West Africa.
Dr Forson disclosed that discussions have already begun with Burkina Faso, Mali and other Sahelian countries regarding financing arrangements for the project.
The government expects the railway line to be completed within three to five years if the necessary funding and partnerships are secured.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernise Ghana’s transport infrastructure and deepen economic ties with neighbouring countries in the sub-region.
