President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will prioritise the development of the Western Railway Line as part of its new economy plan, aimed at strengthening Ghana’s transportation and logistics infrastructure.
According to the President, the railway project will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase extending the line to Nyinahini to facilitate the exploitation and transportation of bauxite deposits in the area.
The second phase will extend the railway network through the Western Corridor to Hamile in the Upper West Region, near Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $98.41 million Berth 19 facility and the floating dry dock project at the Takoradi Port, President Mahama said the Western Railway Line remains one of the most commercially viable projects under Ghana’s Railway Master Plan.
He explained that the railway line would facilitate the transportation of mineral resources, including manganese, bauxite and lithium, while also providing an efficient route for moving containers and other cargo.
“The Western Line is the most profitable because of the manganese, the bauxite, and all that, so even if you take containers up, you can bring bauxite or manganese or lithium ore down to the ports,” he stated.
President Mahama said the railway infrastructure would also strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub by providing landlocked Burkina Faso with access to the Takoradi Port.
He noted that extending the railway to Hamile would enable Burkina Faso to transport both imports and exports through Ghana’s western corridor, reducing the distance and cost associated with moving goods.
The President further disclosed that the government is advancing plans to expand port infrastructure along the proposed Volta Corridor.
He revealed that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) had agreed to support the development of a new private-sector port at Esikuma, led by LMI.
Construction of the Esikuma Port has already commenced, while another port is planned for Debre in the Savannah Region, where an inland terminal will also be established to serve regional trade.
President Mahama said the various port and railway projects formed part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ghana’s logistics value chain and stimulate economic growth.
He stressed that investment in roads, railways and ports was essential to building a resilient economy capable of competing effectively in the changing global trade environment.
LISTEN TO PRESIDENT MAHAMA IN THE AUDIO BELOW 👇:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️) Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
