Contrary to recent statements by the Finance Minister, the train service between Accra and Nsawam has been non-operational for the past four years.
Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adams claimed during the 2024 mid-year fiscal policy review that the rehabilitation of the Nsawam-Accra-Tema railway line had been completed and is now in use. However, a recent investigation by 3news.com reveals that the railway remains inactive.
3news.com’s Stanley Nii Blewu’s visit to the Accra-Nsawam corridor revealed that the government’s procured materials for rail rehabilitation have been left unused. In contrast, metal beams from the rail line have been removed and sold as scrap.
The disruption of shuttle services began approximately four years ago due to frequent derailments, prompting a suspension of operations for repairs.
Despite the government’s procurement of materials, including chippings and metal beams, in 2018 for the railway’s restoration, these materials have remained idle, and some have reportedly been misappropriated by locals for private projects.
Residents of Adjen-Kotoku in the Ga West Municipality, a key station on the line, have observed that metal beams intended for the rail infrastructure were removed and sold. One resident, Lukeman, stated, “A man came here claiming to be authorized by the Minister for Railways to cut the metal beams so that we couldn’t do anything.”
Additionally, the rail signal and cables have been removed, and the rail lines have been encroached upon by private developers.
The state-acquired materials are reportedly being pilfered or used in unauthorized projects, according to local resident Stephen Teye.
Despite the ongoing inactivity of the Accra-Nsawam shuttle service, the Accra-Tema rail line is reportedly operational.
The discrepancies between the Minister’s statements and the current state of the railway infrastructure underscore the need for accurate reporting and transparency regarding government projects.
