President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo has inaugurated the Afienya road over bridge project which is part of the 97.7-km Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line. According to the President, the full Tema-Mpakadan railway project was expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023.
The President stated during the project’s inauguration ceremony that the project was intended to resolve the disparities between long-distance transit and domestic freight movements from Accra to Tema in the north and vice versa using the Volta lake transportation system.
Upon completion, the Tema-Makapda-Buipe transport project, according to him, will connect the Tema Port to the Lake Transport network over a 400-kilometer distance. Allowing for the transfer of freight, fuel, cement, and agricultural products on the lake.
President Akufo-Addo specifically mentioned that the Tema Ports’ current operations would be enhanced, resulting in decreased vessel waiting times. As well as container dwell times and freight transit costs. The Project was designed to develop a multi-module network of land, water, and rail transportation.
Also Read: Reconstruction work begins on Kpeshie Lagoon Baily Bridge in Accra, Ghana
The Afienya road over bridge project seeks to make transportation easier from the southern to northern regions of Ghana
Through a combination of the inter-model transport system, the Afienya road over bridge project seeks to make it easier to transfer people and cargo from Ghana’s southern to northern regions. According to President Akufo-Addo, the overreliance on the road network has led to a rapid deterioration of the nation’s roadways. As well as an increase in the frequency of traffic accidents.
Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to the residents of the communities that had both direct and indirect effects from the project. He said, “Because of your patriotic support, the project has been carried out successfully so far. And since you are the project’s primary benefactor, I believe you will continue to do so. In order to preserve this national treasure and extend its useful life.”
The head of the Ministry of Railway Development, Peter Amewu, said the Afienya road over the bridge was built as part of a standard gauge railway line from the Port of Tema to Mpakadan in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region.
Tema-Mpakadan rail project overview
This project is part of a multi-modal transportation network meant to improve connectivity between Tema Port and the northern regions of the country. It begins from Tema in the Greater Accra Region, through Afienya, North Tongu District in the Volta Region, Manya Krobo and terminates at Mpakadan, a few kilometers from Akosombo.
The line is a part of the 1,000km Ghana-Burkina Faso Railway Interconnectivity Project, which is expected to link Ghana, from Tema to Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou.
Upon completion, the Tema-Mpakadan rail will have six stations. In addition, one freight terminal will be constructed along the route around the port of Tema. This will, as a result, facilitate easy transportation of cargo from the country’s north and beyond to the ports in Tema.
The 300m long railway bridge linking Senchi and Old Akrade across the Volta River is also a part of the project.
Reported earlier
Aug 2016
Exim Bank boosts construction of Tema-Akosombo railway line in Ghana
The constriction of Ghana’s Tema-Akosombo railway line is now set to kick off after the country secured financial support from the Indian Exim Bank. According to transport officialsTema-Akosombo, the railway line is expected to link northern parts of Ghana through the Volta Lake transport service.
The Minister of Transport, Fifi Kwetey added that the financial support will see the transport sector of Ghana advance. “The construction of the Tema-Akosombo railway line is a key milestone to our development agenda in the transport sector which for years has been lagging behind” he added.
The minister said that their government is committed to ensuring more road and railway projects are ongoing well by pumping more funds into the sector that is really wanted by many in the country.
“With the better infrastructure, we will ensure that trade is enhanced in the country hence improving the living standards of every person in the country” he added. The minister also said that the Tema-Akosombo railway line will also connect West African countries surrounded by land such as Burkina Faso and Mali to the Tema port.
The minister mentioned the Sekondi-Takoradi project saying that it is almost complete. He stated, “The project seeks to improve commuter services between the twin cities and reduce congestion on the road, it will also provide a link from the Takoradi port to a container depot at Sekondi.”
Mr. Kwetey revealed that the ministry is looking for other sources of capital to rebuild the rest of the Western Rail Line. The ministry has requested the collaboration of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority with GRDA to implement the project.
The projects are all interlocked to free Ghana’s ports from congestion while increasing revenue mobilization.
Infrastructure in Africa is seen as a key catalyst of economic development on the continent. Already massive infrastructure projects are going on in the continent. For example, the standard gauge railway line in Kenya.
Nov 2017
Construction of US $388m Tema-Akosombo railway set to commence
Construction of the Tema-Akosombo rail project in Ghana is set to start in December this year. This is according to Fredmef Group Limited, a building and civil-electromechanical engineering company spearheading the project.
The company will be working in partnership with KEC International-India’s second largest manufacturer of electric power transmission towers.
Besides, the 84km railway project is expected to cost about US $388m and forms part of plans to redevelop the railway system in the country. Indian Export and Import Bank are said to be a major financier of the project. The construction work is scheduled to complete within 3 years.
Other projects under Fredmef’s belt include Kpong Independence Power Plant, GRIDCO Bawku Substation, Aboadze-Tema Transmission Line, and Aksa Energy Substation among others in the country.
Additionally, the railway line is being designed for 120 km per hour trains, which are faster than the current 58km per hour passenger trains in Ghana, raising concerns about the safety of persons residing close to the railway.
The Tema-Akosombo rail project will as well include the construction of rail tracks of standard gauge, railway maintenance facilities for locomotives and wagons, the building of stations at specific locations with communications and signal equipment, and capacity building for personnel in all aspects of the railway system.
Oct 2019
Construction of Tema-Mpakadan rail line in Ghana to be completed in 2020
Construction of the Tema-Mpakadan railway line in Ghana is set to be completed in June 2020. The Minister of Railway Development, Mr. Joe Ghartey revealed the reports and said the project is 60% complete.
Mr. Joe Ghartey explained that the 99km rail project was redesigned to accommodate a few changes. The project begins from Tema through Afienya, North Tongu District in the Volta Region, Manya Krobo, and terminates at Mpakadan, a few kilometers away from Akosombo.
Also Read:Uganda begins demarcating Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line route
Tema-Mpakadan rail line
The redesigning of the Tema-Mpakadan rail line in Ghana which involved relocating the rail head from Akosombo to Mpakadan became necessary according to the Minister following an assessment of the effects of construction works on the Akosombo dam.
“Blasting of rocks and other heavy activities at the Akosombo port which is 60 meters close to the Akosombo dam could pose a great risk to the safety of the dam hence the need to move the port to Mpakadan,” said Mr. Joe Ghartey.
Trade and other economic
Upon completion, the US $230m rail is projected to boost trade and other economic activities. The project is also part of the Ghana-Burkina Faso railway line which would pass through the Volta and Northern Regions to connect the two countries.
The Railway Development Minister stated that feasibility studies were presently being done on the Ghana-Burkina Faso railway line and would be completed in November this year. Moreover, procurement processes have begun and with about four companies expressing interest. Works on the project are likely to commence in the second quarter of next year.
Nov 2019
Ghana to commence construction of the Volta Rail Bridge
The government of Ghana has announced plans to commence construction of the Volta Rail Bridge at Ogoli, near Juapong in the North Tongu District of the Volta region. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made the announcement and said that the project will transform transportation in the Volta region and afford the country the opportunity to explore iron ore deposits.
Also Read:First 100km of Ghana-Burkina Faso railway line to be completed in Aug 2020
Volta Rail Bridge
The rail project is part of the Tema-Mpakadan railway under the Ghana-Burkina inter-connectivity railways project. It is being constructed by Afcons Infrastructure Limited, an Indian Company, and would pass through the Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Oti, and Northern regions.
The project developers have committed to completing the project in August 2020, a year ahead of schedule. It is expected to bring economic development to the region and make Juapong an important railway town. This in return will transform transportation in the Volta region and afford the country the opportunity to explore iron ore deposits.
“The entry of public railway into Volta region and the construction of a rail bridge over River Volta would unleash the economic fortunes of the region,” said Mr. Joe Ghartey, Minister for Railways Development.
Rail sector in Ghana
The Minister of Railway Development highlighted the need for the rail industry to focus on the development and opportunities presented and added that the state of the railways needed passionate national interest rather than dissenting political views.
“The railway sector presented lots of opportunities for industrial, social, and economic growth, he said, and entreated local investors to begin thinking of concessions along the rails for development: As a Chamber, we can even initiate a process to develop an industrial park along the lines for business,” said Mr. Joe Ghartey.
Aug 2020
Ghana: 70% of construction works on the Tema-Akosombo railway project complete
The construction works on the approximately 97.6 Kilometer Tema-Akosombo railway line, which is a part of the Tema-Mpakadan railway line under the Ghana-Burkina interconnectivity railways project, is reportedly 70% complete.
This was revealed by the Ghana Railway Development Authority which is under the Ministry of Railways Development during a monitoring and verification visit to the railway construction sites. Apparently, 93 Kilometers of formation just below the subgrade level has been done, 65 kilometers of Skelton Tracks laid, and 138 out of the planned 156 structure culverts and bridges completed.
On the Volta Lake, where a 300-meter rail bridge at Ogoli near Juapong in the North Tongu District is currently under construction, some 18 out of 30 pile foundations have been completed and a few others are being worked on.
Also Read: Phase two construction of Tema Motorway Interchange in Ghana to begin in September
Additionally, 200,000 steel-reinforced concrete sleepers, which were produced in the West African country, have been cast and many others are underway.
As part of the remaining bit of the project, some stations will be constructed, including a freight terminal at Tema Harbour to facilitate the transportation of goods inland. The project, according to Maame Yaa Agyaa Ayensu, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Ghana Railway Development Authority, is 70 percent freight and 30 percent passenger.
The completion date of the project
The project, which broke ground about three years ago, was initially scheduled to be completed by August this year but it was delayed unfortunately due to some unexpected challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Gupta Asim, the Head of Legal Affairs for AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, the company undertaking the construction works of the railway line, said that with the progress of the work so far, the project could be completed as early as March 2021.
Upon completion, the project is largely expected to go a long way to accelerate the country’s socio-economic growth.
April 2021
Work on the Tema-Mpakadan railway project is approximately 80% complete
The construction works on the 97.6-kilometer Tema-Mpakadan railway project is about 80 percent complete according to the Ghanaian Minister of Railway Development, John Peter Amewu.
Amewu made the revelation after inspecting the Mpakadan Rail Head Terminal, Volta Rail Bridge, Doryumu railway station, and other major parts of the entire project. He was accompanied by officials from his Ministry, the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), and other project partners.
Volta Rail Bridge to be completed in August
The minister said that solely, the Volta Rail Bridge will be completed in August this year.
Also Read: Kumasi International Airport expansion project in Ghana to be completed in 2021
The 340-meter-long bridge will be supported by piers driven 76 meters deep into the earth to sit on the bedrock of the lake. The piers are diagonal like a spread tripod, the first of their kind in the West African country.
According to Amewu, this bridge could even be completed ahead of schedule.
The Tema-Mpakadan railway project
The implementation of the Tema-Mpakadan railway project started back in 2018 and it was scheduled to be completed in June last year but was delayed due to several factors including a number of workers contracting COVID-19.
The project is financed by the Indian-owned Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank). The latter has already committed $447m in funding in the form of a buyer’s credit under a National Export Insurance Account (NEIA). These funds will mainly support the design and construction of the project.
Ghana’s parliament too had approved a budget of $230 million for the project. These monies would go towards the purchase of rolling stock for the Tema-Mpakadan railway. The contractors of the project are the Indian construction and engineering company AFCONS Infrastructure.
The Ghanaian Minister of Railway Development underscored the socio-economic importance of the railway line saying when completed in November this year, “it is expected to increase Ghana’s GDP by 2 to 3 percent.”
Jun 2020
Tema-Mpakadan Rail Project in Ghana to be Completed in Dec 2022
The construction of the 97.6km, Tema-Mpakadan rail in Ghana is expected to be completed by December 2022. This is an assurance made by the West African country’s Ministry for Railway Development led by Minister John-Peter Amewu. The latter made the assurance While inspecting the Volta Rail Bridge.
He said, “We are aware of the heavy traffic between Afienya and Tema. Consequently, we will procure two fairly used trains to ply between Tema and Mpakadan for passengers. This should be able to take pressure off the road as well as make commuters comfortable. That is what we are working towards, and it will be done shortly.”
