Ghana’s ambitious railway infrastructural plan.
The Ghana Railway Master Plan was completed in 2013, but is currently being reviewed to accommodate the additional six regions created, among other reasons. The Master Plan proposes to add a new railway network of 4,006km approx. requiring an investment of over US$21,507,920,000.00
The current transport system in Ghana depends mainly on the road network, made up of approximately 67,000km of main and secondary road. Approximately 12,800km are main arteries but only 3800km are paved. Another, more limited, contribution that has grown in recent years, is water transport that takes place along the Volta Lake between the ports of Akosombo in the South and Buipe and Yapei in the North. The existing railway network is made up of three lines: Western, Eastern and Central that together with some branch lines extend for approximately 940km. Built during the colonial period, they are narrow (Cape) gauge, single track lines and were used for both freight and passenger traffic. Over the years this railway network has deteriorated, together with the rolling stock, due to lack of maintenance and is currently in a state of disrepair and is not able to guarantee reliable and safe transport. For some years now, the Government has given prior importance to the necessity for the rehabilitation, extension and development of the entire national network to take into account the necessities of northern Ghana, the bordering countries and the objectives of Ecowas, identifying a plan for a new railway network.
With this as a basis, the following phases have been identified for the rehabilitation and extension of the network as indicated below:
1ST PHASE
This involves Rehabilitation of the Existing Lines. Only two of the three existing lines are rehabilitated: the Western Line (Takoradi-Awaso-Kumasi) and the Eastern Line (Accra-Tema-Kumasi) for a total of approximately 668km including branches to Awaso and Prestea). The Central Line is not very attractive for freight and passenger traffic, which should be substituted in successive phases by the foreseen Coastal Line. The lines remain narrow gauge, but will be modernised and adapted to the new technical standards for all the infrastructures, but with sleepers conditioned for a subsequent transformation of the lines to standard gauge. The traffic assignments indicate that the Western Line has a higher potential for freight traffic, and in particular that of the mines, whereas the Eastern Line is more suited for passenger transport. On the basis of the surveys and verifications carried out, it is proposed to undertake repairs on the limited number of the current rolling stock fleet that is still technically possible to rehabilitate, without purchasing any new vehicles, thus avoiding any unnecessary expenses in view of the future changeover of the lines to standard gauge.
2ND PHASE
Extension of the Central Corridor. Doubling of the track of the two lines rehabilitated in the 1st Phase and the conversion to standard gauge of the previously modernised track, will create two modern lines with double track on the routes with a high demand for freight and passenger traffic. Construction of the new standard gauge single track line that runs from Kumasi to Tamale and Paga in the North. This phase covers approximately 1161km. Ghana Railways Master Plan – FINAL REPORT 16 / 331
3RD PHASE
Extension of the Transversal Links. Construction of transversal links, always with standard gauge single tracks, for the stretches Tamale Yendi, Fufulsu-Sawla, Techiman-Kwadwokurom and Nyinahin Kumasi for a total of approximately 484km.
4TH PHASE
Extension of the Trans-ECOWAS Line. This is mainly a coastal line, with standard gauge single track, that runs from Aflao (near the border with Togo) westwards to Tema-Accra-Cape Coast-Takoradi Tarkwa-Omanpe for a total of approximately 498km.
5TH PHASE
Extension of the Western Line. Extension northwards of the original Western Line to reach and connect the future mines. The line starts from Dunkwa-Awaso and extends towards Techiman, Sawla and Hamile for a total of approximately 729km
6TH PHASE
Extension of the Eastern Line. This is the new route to the East of Ghana, near the border with Togo, that from Tema reaches the river port of Akosombo and then heads towards Ho and Yendi to the North, for a total of approximately 468km. In conclusion, in the 1st Phase, 668km of the original narrow-gauge line will be rehabilitated. In the following 5 phases, the network will be extended by a further 3340km of new lines and the 1st phase will be converted to standard gauge. In 33 years, it is envisaged that a total of 4008km of lines will be realised for an investment of US$21,508 million. As illustrated, there are the further investments on the part of the management company operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), for the rehabilitation and purchase of the freight and passenger rolling stock, evaluated at US$53 and US$1200 million respectively. The Government of Ghana, has identified specific segments of the Ghana Railway Master Plan as priority projects to be executed. The Master Plan will be a guide for the fulfilment of the mandate of the Ministry of Railways.