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General News of Saturday, 11 May 2019

Source: peacefmonline.com

You will never be president again - Joe Ghartey tells Mahama

Joe Ghartey, Minister for Railways Development Joe Ghartey, Minister for Railways Development

Minister for Railways Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey says former President Mahama’s desire to be President again will not materialize.

To him, Mr Mahama should feel privileged to have been blessed by God to be President once as there is no way he will be President again.

Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that he was working seriously for President Akufo-Addo to retain power in 2020.

He added that his ministry is working hard to improve the railway sector and that the President has given them 200 million dollars to purchase ultra modern coaches for the railways.

"Every President did his bit for the development of the railway sector and that it is very unwise to politicize the issues of the railway sector," he added.

Hon Joe Ghartey, who is also the Member of Parliament for Essikado Ketan constituency, maintained that the NPP government is committed to improving the country’s infrastructure especially in the railway sector.

" . . the ongoing railway development project initiated by the government, which involves the construction of a total of 1,700 kilometres of lines, was on course . . . most of the projects, which are modern standard gauge railway lines, would be on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis because it was a big ticket project,” he said.

He indicated that the government had decided to solely fund the 103km stretch from Dunkwa to Kumasi and maintain 30 per cent stake in the Eastern line in order to maintain some ownership of the railway lines.

"The vision of the President to build a modern standard railway is on course," he assured.

Mr Ghartey gave an assurance that the government would not short-change Ghanaians in the railway development agreements but would work in the interest of the state.

"We shall negotiate in their (Ghanaians) best interest and ensure that the people of Ghana get value for money. We are doing a due diligence and value for money audit to ensure that the public purse is protected," he said.