South African team arrives in Ghana to assess rail infrastructure
A 10-member technical team from Transnet International Holdings, a South African rail and logistics firm, are in the country to carry out an assessment of the country’s rail infrastructure within the western enclave.
The team, led by the Programme Director of Transnet, Mr Plus Wilson Mogoba, is expected to spend a week to carry out the assignment to assess the condition of the western rail lines.
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Visit
The Executive Director of Adasa Keteke Company Limited, the local partners of Transnet, Mr Kojo Quainoo, told the Daily Graphic that the visit by the group was to enable them to familiarise themselves with Ghana’s rail infrastructure and work with their Ghanaian counterparts to determine and confirm the type of fleet that would be required.
The team will gather a full understanding of the requirements of the Ghana Railways Company Limited (GRCL) for success.
Related: South Africa’s Transnet to supply 110 wagons to Ghana Railway – Ayisi Boateng
Itinerary
Today, the team is expected to call on the South African High Commissioner and the Minister of Railways Development, Mr Joe Ghartey, after which they will travel to the Western Region to carry out site inspections in Takoradi and Tarkwa.
“After the Western Region inspection, the team will return to Accra for a similar site inspections in Tema and Nsawam as well as hold customer meetings with workers of the GRCL and other stakeholders,” Mr Quainoo explained.
He added that, “the first phase of the project will be the Takoradi to Nsuta line which leads to the Ghana Manganese Company Limited.”
With preliminary information gathered, Transnet is anticipating to provide 24 passenger coaches and three power vans for the Accra to Nsawam line.
In addition, “they will bring mineral wagons, coaches and locomotives as part of the interim solution to revive the rail transport in the country.”
Mr Quainoo stated that Transet was entering into a long-term partnership with the team to revive, operate and manage the railway industry in the country.
Background
Ghana’s railways have been ineffective for some years now with the sector virtually on its knees.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, upon assuming the office as President, promised to redevelop and revive the sector.
The President subsequently created the Railways Development Ministry.
The sector Minister, Mr Ghartey, has since engaged a number of organisations who are keen on assisting the country to revive the sector.