The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has signed an off-taker agreement with MES Logistics as part of the government’s broader agenda to revitalise Ghana’s railway sector and expand freight transportation capacity.
The agreement is expected to support the movement of cargo by rail, a measure described by the Minister as “strengthening freight efficiency” and helping to ease congestion at the country’s major ports and road corridors. The intervention is also intended to reduce logistics costs for businesses while improving overall supply chain performance.
Addressing the media after the signing, Bukari Nikpe indicated that the partnership forms part of efforts to reposition the railway system as a viable alternative for bulk cargo transportation. He noted that the deployment of two locomotives and twenty wagons represents a strategic investment aimed at enhancing operational capacity and supporting long-term sectoral growth.
He further explained that the initiative is expected to contribute to improved road safety outcomes by reducing the volume of heavy-duty trucks on major highways, a factor often linked to road accidents and infrastructure deterioration. The Minister also emphasised that the arrangement aligns with the government’s objective of “improving logistics efficiency” across key economic corridors.
According to him, the assets must be managed “prudently to ensure operational efficiency, financial sustainability and continued expansion of rail services nationwide”.
Bukari Nikpe reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the railway sector into a central pillar of trade facilitation and economic development, noting that the reforms are designed to enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s transport and logistics ecosystem.
