Ghana has taken delivery of two locomotives and 20 freight wagons to strengthen cargo operations on the country’s railway network, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said, as the government pushes to revive rail transport and improve logistics infrastructure.
The new rolling stock, received by the Ghana Railway Development Authority, is expected to enhance freight movement across the network and improve the efficiency of cargo transportation, according to the minister.
“This significant addition to our rail assets marks another important step in our efforts to modernize Ghana’s transport infrastructure and strengthen the role of rail in national development,” Nikpe said in a post.
The investment comes as Ghana seeks to expand rail transport as a cheaper and more reliable alternative for moving goods, particularly bulk commodities and industrial cargo. Successive governments have identified railway development as critical to reducing pressure on roads, lowering transport costs and improving trade connectivity.
Nikpe said the locomotives and wagons would help provide a more reliable and cost-effective means of transporting goods while supporting broader economic activity.
The government has in recent years pursued several railway rehabilitation and expansion projects, including efforts to modernize existing lines and develop new standard-gauge corridors aimed at linking industrial and mining zones to ports and commercial centers.
According to the minister, continued investment in the railway sector would support the creation of an integrated transport system capable of driving economic growth, facilitating trade and improving connectivity for businesses and communities.
