Transport Ministry Defends Purchase Of Locomotives, Rejects NPP Minority Claims
The Ministry of Transport has defended the government’s acquisition of two diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, rejecting claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority that the equipment is obsolete and unsuitable for Ghana’s railway system.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 2, the Ministry described criticisms labelling the British Rail Class 56 locomotives as “toys fit for the museum” as inaccurate and reflective of a lack of understanding of railway engineering and operations.
According to the Ministry, the locomotives underwent extensive refurbishment in the United Kingdom before being shipped to Ghana. The works included complete overhauls of the diesel engines, electrical traction systems, traction motors, bogies, braking systems and the installation of modern railway safety equipment.
It stated that the locomotives were thoroughly tested and certified before export and are covered by a five-year warranty against operational defects. With proper maintenance, the Ministry said they are expected to remain operational for at least 15 years before requiring major rehabilitation.
The Ministry also dismissed concerns about maintenance and spare parts availability, explaining that the Class 56 locomotives remain in commercial freight service in the United Kingdom and Hungary, making spare parts readily available.
It added that the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has secured agreements with suppliers to maintain a five-year stock of critical spare parts, while engineers from the United Kingdom have begun training GRDA technicians to build local maintenance capacity.
Responding to comparisons with rolling stock acquired under the previous NPP administration, the Ministry said the comparison was misleading, as the locomotives were purchased specifically for freight operations, unlike the passenger diesel multiple units acquired previously.
According to the Ministry, while the previous administration spent about US$14.67 million on two passenger trains, the current government acquired two freight locomotives and 20 container wagons for approximately US$3.18 million.
It said the new rolling stock is intended to establish Ghana’s first structured container rail freight business, reduce logistics costs, ease pressure on roads, support industrialisation and generate sustainable revenue for the railway sector.
The Ministry further rejected claims that the Tema–Mpakadan railway corridor lacks the equipment required for freight operations.
It disclosed that the GRDA already has two reach stackers and five heavy-duty forklifts for container handling, with plans underway to procure two gantry cranes to strengthen long-term operational capacity.
On the commercial viability of the project, the Ministry said feasibility studies conducted prior to the construction of the Tema–Mpakadan railway confirmed sufficient freight demand along the corridor.
It revealed that the GRDA is finalising commercial off-take agreements, including one expected to generate approximately US$3.5 million annually, adding that the investment in the locomotives and wagons is expected to be recovered within two years.
The Ministry also accused the previous NPP administration of leaving the railway sector in a weakened state despite having a dedicated Ministry of Railway Development.
It cited abandoned railway projects, unresolved technical defects on the Tema–Mpakadan line, salary arrears for railway workers and the failed Sky Train project as some of the challenges inherited by the current administration.
According to the Ministry, the government has since restored passenger rail services on the Kojokrom–Sekondi–Takoradi line, repaired and recommissioned diesel multiple unit trains, resumed stalled works on the Western Railway Line and is addressing signalling deficiencies on the Tema–Mpakadan corridor with support from a €21 million European Union grant.
The Ministry maintained that the government is repositioning Ghana’s railway sector as a productive economic asset capable of supporting the country’s 24-hour economy agenda through efficient freight and passenger transport.
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