Akufo-Addo cuts sod for 83.5km railway line from Kumasi to Obuasi as part of the Western Line

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President Nana Addo (Nana Addo) Dankwa Akufo-Addo (Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo) cut the turf to prepare for the 83.5 km standard gauge railway line from Kumasi to Obuasi This is part of the new western line under construction.

During the mowing ceremony, he pointed out that as of January 2017, only 10% of the 947-kilometer colonial narrow-gauge railway network bequeathed to the country by the colonialists was in operation.

He said that with the exception of the 15-kilometer narrow-gauge railway line built between 2012 and 2017, there was no additional kilometer of railway line from Sekondi to Takoradi via Kojokrom.

“At the beginning of my appointment, I was determined to change this statistic because I believe that the existence of an efficient and effective railway system is essential to the progress, prosperity and development of our country.

“This led to my decision to establish the Ministry of Railway Development, while the energetic MP Joe Galtai (Essikadu Ketan) is in charge of the affairs. As we all know, this has begun to bear fruit.”

He added: “Today’s activity is to cut the 83.5 km of turf cutting on the Kumasi-Obuasi line, which clearly reflects the development of the Akufo-Addo government and the policy of developing the country’s railway sector.” He added.

It is worth mentioning that earlier this year, both the Cabinet and Congress approved an agreement worth 500 million euros for the construction of a new project from Takoradi Port to Koyokrom and from Manso to Honni Valley. Standard gauge line.

Once completed, a 102km new standard gauge railway line will be constructed as part of the development of the new standard gauge western line.

President Akufo-Addo explained that the Western Front is essential to the successful establishment of a new type of bauxite and aluminum industry promoted by the government.

The President said that the Sheini and Oppon Manso iron ore deposits will become the foundation of the upcoming steel industry, requiring a modern railway network to transport ore and processed raw materials.

In addition, President Akufo-Addo told the assembly at the meeting that the work on the Tema to Mpakadan line is also proceeding steadily, which is part of the Ghana-Burkinana railway interconnection project Tema to Paga section. The first stage.

“This railway line has branch lines to Sheini and Oppon Manso. As part of the nascent bauxite and aluminum industry, mining bauxite deposits in Atiwa will also benefit from the construction of the new railway line.”

As a result of the approval of a US$300 million concession by the Parliament, the construction of the Boankra Inland Port is about to begin. The President stated that the country has been working hard to develop an inland port since 1995.

He emphasized that through the existence of the railway line, the economic feasibility of the Boankra inland project will be greatly improved, adding: “The new standard gauge railway line from Accra to Tema and then to Kumasi is a must. I hope The contract can be signed to start construction of the route from Accra to Tema to Kumasi before the election in December.”

As the country’s railway network has never surpassed Kumasi, the President announced that a feasibility study and the preliminary design of a new standard gauge line have been completed, which runs from Edwabin to Paga and then passes through Beibei. Herm, Sunyani, Tamilman and Tamale.

“Next week, the final stakeholder negotiations will begin, and then the land acquisition process will begin. Let me take this opportunity to call on the chief who is the custodian of our land to fully support this project. The economic value of all land with railway construction will be greatly enhanced. improve.”

In the first four years of his administration, President Akufo-Addo pointed out that since independence, there has been more construction activity in the railway sector than at any time in the country’s history.

“In the past three years and ten months, we have laid a solid foundation. When Nana and NPP have four more years to do more for you, they will gain greater motivation. The promise of the new modern standard railway network is unwavering.” He promised.