The West African Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Adomako Kusi, has urged the government to make railway development in Ghana a major component of the Big Push infrastructure programme to ease pressure on the country’s road network.
According to Mr. Kusi, expanding Ghana’s railway network would provide an efficient alternative for transporting passengers and cargo while reducing the damage caused by heavy-duty trucks on major roads.
He made the call during an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, where discussions focused on the decline of Ghana’s railway sector and the growing investment in railway infrastructure across Africa.
Railway Development Could Protect Ghana’s Roads
Mr. Kusi said Ghana’s heavy dependence on road transport for both passengers and goods is placing significant pressure on road infrastructure.
He explained that roads are expensive to construct and maintain, while frequent movement of heavy-duty trucks contributes to rapid deterioration.
He therefore believes that shifting a significant portion of cargo transportation from roads to railways could reduce the number of heavy vehicles using Ghana’s roads and help extend the lifespan of existing road infrastructure.
He argued that the Big Push programme should incorporate a comprehensive railway network as part of efforts to improve Ghana’s transportation system.
Rail Transport Could Improve Movement of People and Goods
The CUTS International director also highlighted the potential of rail transport in Ghana to provide a safer, more efficient and reliable means of moving people and goods across the country.
He said improved rail connectivity between major cities and economic centres could transform the way Ghanaians travel for work and business.
An efficient railway system, he noted, could allow people to live farther from their workplaces while benefiting from faster and more reliable commuting options.
Railway Network Could Connect Major Economic Centres
Mr. Kusi referenced a 2022 JICA analysis of Ghana’s Railway Master Plan, which he said identified opportunities to develop rail connections linking key parts of the country.
The proposed railway connectivity could include major locations such as Accra, Kumasi and Paga, as well as mining communities in the Western Region.
Such connections could strengthen the movement of raw materials, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and passengers while supporting trade and industrial activity.
Rail Investment to Complement Big Push Road Projects
Mr. Kusi stressed that increased investment in Ghana railway infrastructure should complement, rather than replace, road construction projects under the Big Push programme.
He believes a balanced transportation strategy combining roads and railways would improve the movement of people and goods, reduce transportation costs and support long-term economic growth in Ghana.
Greater investment in rail infrastructure could also help reduce road congestion, lower the maintenance burden on government and create a more efficient national transportation network.
Source: newsthemegh.com