Railway Development Ministry pays courtesy call on chiefs of Kasena-Nankana

Representatives from the Railway Ministry, on December 19, paid a courtesy call on two Paramount chiefs of the Kasena-Nankana Traditional area in the Upper East Region ahead of feasibility studies on the Paga-Kumasi Railway Extension Project.

The team, led by Kwabena Osei Bonsu, a Civil Engineer with the Railway Development Ministry and the Chief Executives of the two Assemblies, made the visit to the Overlords to update them on the progress of work and to formally seek permission to conduct feasibility studies for the project in their respective jurisdictions.

According to them, studies on the Kumasi-Tamale side of the project have been completed and the team will soon move to the next phase of the project, which is the Tamale- Paga route, to commence the viability checks; a move, which has necessitated their visit.

“The sector Minister, Honourable Joe Ghartey and his team have started the first step which is the feasibility studies for the railway line from Kumasi to Paga. We have finished the feasibility studies from Kumasi to Tamale, and now we are continuing from Tamale to Paga”.

Speaking in separate meetings at the Navrongo and Paga Chief Palaces, Engr. Kwabena Osei Bonsu, reiterated the President’s commitment to developing the railway sector in the country.

He said the setting up of an entire Ministry to handle the development of the sector was an indication of the seriousness President Nana Akufo Addo and his government attaches to the cause.
“We are here in respect of the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo’s promise of extending Ghana’s Railway line from Kumasi all the way to Paga”.

“It is because of that promise that he set up the Ministry of Railway development. This is the first time in the history of this country that a whole ministry has been dedicated to railways development and this underscore the importance the President attaches to railway development in Ghana”.

He added that the President’s believe in the railway sector as a catalyst for the development of the country was no mistake as it is evident in other countries which have carted the same path.

“He is quoted to have said that; railway will be the catalyst for the development of this country. It no mistake that all over the world, wherever you go, where you see development, there are railway lines and so it is not an accident. Railway should be part and parcel of the development of this country”.

“Over the two years that the ministry has been in existence, we have started with the preparatory work towards the development of the railway lines from Kumasi to Paga as mandated by the President”.

Victor Zhang, representative of the China Railway Eryuan Engineering
Corporation (CREEC), the Chinese Company partnering their local partner, Ustawi Limited and the Ministry of Railway Development on the project said the company will work together with the Ghana government to develop the local community and the railway sector.

The Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, P3 Charles Awiah Awumpaga ll, welcomed the Ministry with commendation to government for their life changing policies including the Free-SHS and Planting for Food and Jobs.



He said the railway extension project is a laudable idea which has been long overdue. He added that the development gains the railway sector will bring to his area are unquantifiable and therefore urged government to speed up efforts in starting the project.
He gave his blessings and assured the Ministry, District Assembly and the President of his support for the project.

P3 Denis Aniakwo Balinia Adda Asagpaare ll, Paramount Chief of the Navrongo Traditional Area, was happy the project when completed will help address the challenges and stress associated with travelling to the big cities in the South.

He noted that aside the luxurious rides, the project will also boost local businesses and create employment for people. While assuring the government of his unflinching support for the extension project, the Navro-Pio appealed to the Ministry to engage more of both skilled and unskilled labour in areas that will be opportune to accommodate the rail lines.