From cocoa farms in the hinterland to crowded urban markets, Ghana’s economy still moves largely on roads built for a smaller, slower country. That dependence may soon ease. This week, the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) unveiled an ambitious national railway master plan aimed at reconnecting major cities, industrial zones and resource corridors, by steel tracks rather than asphalt.
Launched by GRDA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Frederick Appoh, the plan sets out a long-term vision to revive rail transport as a backbone of both family life and business logistics, offering a safer, cheaper and more reliable alternative for moving people and goods across the country.
At the heart of the proposal is a clear economic calculation. Passenger rail alone, Dr. Appoh admitted, rarely pays for itself. The real opportunity lies in freight, particularly bulk cargo from Ghana’s mining and agricultural sectors. “Return on investment can largely come from connecting the railway to our mining sectors”, he said, pointing to manganese, bauxite and iron ore, alongside cocoa-growing regions whose produce currently relies heavily on road haulage.
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