Twelve individuals are expected to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court today, October 7, 2025, for allegedly vandalising a section of the Tarkwa-Takoradi railway line near Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has condemned the incident and called on traditional leaders to take responsibility for protecting their communities.
He also urged the Ghana Railways Authority (GRA) to step up patrols to safeguard the country’s vital rail infrastructure.
The damaged narrow-gauge railway line, owned by the Ghana Manganese Company Limited, plays a crucial role in transporting manganese exports but has come under severe threat from illegal mining activities in the area.
A viral video showing extensive destruction at Akyem prompted a high-level visit to the site on Monday by the Western Regional Minister, the MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Issah Salifu Taylor, and a National Security Liaison Officer.
Investigations revealed that illegal miners had excavated the soil beneath a railway bridge, leaving metal rails hanging in mid-air. In other sections, parts of the track were dismantled, and sections of the embankment had caved into nearby water bodies.
Visibly concerned, Mr. Nelson reiterated the need for stronger local vigilance and institutional coordination to halt the destruction.
Some residents, however, accused officials of the GRA of neglect, claiming two officers had told them that a new standard-gauge line under construction would bypass the Akyem community—an assertion they say has led to the abandonment and vandalism of the current line.
In response, some youth and community members have begun mobilising to reclaim the affected mining sites and restore sanity in the area.
The Assistant Superintendent of Tracks and Railways, Sampson Nyame, explained that monitoring efforts have been hampered by the breakdown of the only rail inspection car.
Meanwhile, the Operational Commander of the Western-Central Police Command, ASP Den-Ben Eden Selassie, confirmed the arrest of twelve suspects in connection with the vandalism.
Source: Adomonline
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