Transport Minister Confirms Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line Set to Begin Operations Soon
Ghana’s Minister for Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe has confirmed that the much-anticipated Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line will officially begin operations in the coming days, marking a major step forward in the country’s transportation infrastructure.
The 97-kilometer standard-gauge railway line which stretches from Tema to Mpakadan in the Eastern Region was commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on November 22, 2024, at the Tema Harbour. The project, valued at $447 million, was financed through a credit facility from the India Exim Bank and represents Ghana’s first-ever standard-gauge railway line.
Despite the official commissioning the project experienced some delays due to unfinished components and technical setbacks—particularly the lack of key infrastructure such as terminals and ports at both ends of the line.
Speaking in an interview on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey Minister Nikpe explained that while the rail tracks were largely completed under the previous administration, the absence of a terminal and port at Mpakadan made it difficult to operationalize the line effectively.
There’s no port at Mpakadan and the rail line requires two ports and two terminals to handle both passenger and cargo services, the Minister said. That has been one of the main challenges with the Tema-Mpakadan Railway.
However, Mr. Nikpe assured the public that these challenges have been addressed. Engineers have been deployed to conduct tracking, replace missing rail components, and fix all outstanding technical issues. He confirmed that the train is now ready for service.
We initially aimed to launch operations by the 14th of this month, he disclosed. “But due to the technical setbacks, I instructed the team to fully resolve them. Now that the necessary corrections have been made, you will be hearing from us very soon about the official operationalisation.
The operationalisation of the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line is expected to significantly boost Ghana’s transport and logistics sector, improve passenger movement, and facilitate trade between the port city of Tema and the Volta and Eastern Regions.
As the government prepares to launch the railway for public use, many Ghanaians are hopeful that this investment will not only ease road congestion but also reduce transportation costs, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth across the corridor.