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Ghana Railway Company Limited (previously known as the Ghana Railway Corporation) is the company that operates the railways of Ghana. The Ghana Railway Company Limited is a public-sector body with responsibility for the efficient management of the national rail system so as to enhance the smooth movement of goods and passengers.

History

Operations began in 1898 under the Gold Coast Government Railways with headquarters in Sekondi. The headquarters were transferred to Takoradi after the building of Takoradi Harbour, and railways and ports were jointly administered as the Ghana Railway & Ports Authority. In 1976, SMCD 95 separated the railway from ports as the Ghana Railway Corporation. The company enjoyed the status of a public corporation until 19 March 2001, when it became a limited liability company.

The original 304-kilometre (189 mi) Eastern Railway was built in 1923 by the British for the purpose of hauling minerals and cocoa. Construction of the Ghana Railways started before there were any port facilities, and locomotives and other equipment had to be lightered over the beach.

In July 2007, contract signed as part of the ECOWAS rail plan, intended to link Ghana to Burkina Faso.

• In February, a Korean engineering study group examined the proposed new lines and also gauge conversion from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge).

In 2008 two diesel multiple units ordered from China CNR Corporation's Tangshan plant for a shuttle service from Accra to Tema. Each unit comprises two motor cars with Vossloh Kiepe and Voith traction equipment, plus four trailer cars.

In October 2010 the DMUs were launched. The line was commissioned in October 2010; in December 2010, work began on an extension to Tema harbour.

In 2010, a contract was signed to construct a railway from Paga (on the border with Burkina Faso) to Kumasi; plus a branch from Tamale to Yendi.

The railway network in Ghana resembles a large capital "A" with 3 components - a "Western Division" (the left leg of the "A") from Secondi/Takoradi to Kumasi (280 km, 168 mi), an "Eastern Division" (the right leg of the "A") from Accra to Kumasi, and a "Central Division" (the horizontal bar of the "A") from Huni Valley to Kotoku. The 953 km (570 mi) network includes branch lines on the "Western Division" to Prestea and Awaso, a branch line to Kade on the "Central Division", and branch lines to Tema and Shai Hills on the "Eastern Division".

Very little of the railway network remains in operation. Accra to Tema, Accra to Kotoku, and Awaso to Dunkwa and south to Takoradi are the only parts that are known to be in operation. Very little is known about the current operating state of the rest of the system.

The following table outlines the dates of construction of the various parts of the railway network. (See map below right.)

Note 1 - Tarkwa to Prestea is a branch line on the Western Division that services manganese mines.

Note 2 - Kojokrom is the junction of the line to Secondi (now abandoned). The other leg serves the port of Takoradi.

Note 3 - Dunkwa to Awaso is a branch line on the Western Division that services bauxite mines.

Note 4 - Huni Valley (Tinkwakrom) is the junction of the Central Division with the Western Division.

Note 5 - Achiasi to Kade is now a branch line on the Central Division. It used to service timber companies and for cocoa transportation. Oda was an important station on this branch.

Note 6 - Kotoku is the junction of the Central Division with the Eastern Division.

Stations

This section is written like a manual or guide. Please help rewrite this section and remove advice or instruction. (January 2024)

The following table lists some of the stations and flagstops (halts) that existed at one time on the three Divisions. There may be more. In the latter days of operation on these lines, very few of them were in service.

Note 1 - No passenger service.

Note 2 -

Note 3 - Station/stop may no longer be in service.

Standards

• Railway coupling - AAR coupler
• Brake (railway) - Air brake
• axleload - 25T

Single and double track

The system is single-track with the exception of about 30 km (19 mi) of double track between Takoradi and Manso on the Western Line.

Gauge

Railway gauge is currently 3'6". The latest proposals in 2006 for upgrade and expansion include conversion of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) (narrow gauge) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge). As an interim position, dual gauge sleepers are being installed to facilitate the conversion to Standard Gauge.

Concession

In 2007 a consortium led by Dubai-based Kampac Oil Co signed a US$1.6 billion concession to develop the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) (Cape gauge) Western Railway. Over five years a 500-kilometre (310 mi) line is to be constructed from Awaso to Hamile near the border with Burkina Faso. The government awarded a US$1.4 billion concession for the Eastern Railway to Peatrack earlier in the year.

New suburban services

In March 2015 it was announced that a new suburban service linking Sekondi and Takoradi would begin by the end of 2015. The US$100 million project, managed by Amanda Holdings, involves the rebuilding of 30 of 1067mm gauge track to standard gauge, and the acquisition of two DMUs for service. The Accra - Nsawam and Kumasi - Ejisu suburban lines are also to be rebuilt.

The Tema-Mpakadan railway line which includes a bridge across the Lake Volta open in 2023.

In September 2022 GRC ordered two DMU from Pesa with option on ten additional. The first DMU based class 847 for CDs ass number 001 was completed in January 2024, and on February 2 of the same year, the vehicle was presented at the Bydgoszcz Główna station. Amongst the participants was the Secretary of State and the President of the Ghana Railway Development Agency, Yaw Owusu.

In September 2024, the second vehicle, which is a type Link, was completed. On the night of September 26-27, the vehicle was shipped by sea to the recipient.

Towns served by rail

Concrete sleepers

A plant to manufacture concrete sleepers is to be set up in 2008 at the strategic railway junction at Huni Valley.

Rolling stock

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2022)

See also

• Rail transport in Ghana
• Transport in Ghana

References

1. ^ Ministry of Roads & Transport Archived October 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
2. "Gold Coast Government Railway". Science Museum Group. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
3. ^ "Ghana Railway Company Limited". SIGA : State Interests and Governance Authority. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
4. ^ "On October 1, 1903, Trains reach Kumasi from the coast". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. October 2017. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
5. "Rusty Rails: The story of Ghana's lost glory and government's new worry". MyJoyOnline.com. 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
6. "On October 1, 1903, Trains reach Kumasi from the coast". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. October 2017. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
7. ^ "On October 1, 1903, Trains reach Kumasi from the coast". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. October 2017. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
8. "Railway sector has 'collapsed'". 4 March 2013.
9. Journalist, Joshua Kobby Smith. "Stop Overloading Trains — Passengers To Rail Management". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
10. David Brice (25 June 2008). "Essential renewals must pave the way for ambitious expansion strategy". Railway Gazette International. London. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
11. "Ghana in a lead in Railway network to link ECOWAS countries". The Ghanaian Journal. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12.
12. Shirley Han Ying (31 August 2006). "Korean rail engineers head to Ghana". Shirley's Studio. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
13. "Myjoyonline.com Ghana News :: Trains go North ::: Breaking News | New…". archive.is. 2007-07-01. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
14. The Statesman: Special Reports : The transformation of Ghana's rail
15. "UAE group signs Ghana rail deal". National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT). Archived from the original on 2012-09-11.
16. "Ghanaweb News - Ghana Home Page, News Updates Ghana". GhanaWeb News. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
17. ^ "DMUs shipped to Ghana". Railway Gazette International. London. 9 April 2009.
18. "DMU launch in Ghana". Railways Africa. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
19. "GHANA: PROPOSED ECOWAS COASTAL LINE | Railways Africa". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
20. "Ghana signs with China". Railways Africa. 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
21. ^ "2.4 Ghana Railway Assessment - Logistics Capacity Assessment - Digital Logistics Capacity Assessments". dlca.logcluster.org. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
22. "Railways Workers Union commends Govt for creation of Ministry". BusinessGhana. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
23. "Railway Ministry to fence all railway lines in Ghana". MyJoyOnline.com. 2019-01-08. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
24. Ghana Archived 2009-03-18 at the Wayback Machine
25. "Ghana Looks To Open Up Northern Sector: Focus On Rail Sector" (PDF).
26. Axleload
27. "Modern Ghana - Breaking News, Ghana, Africa, Entertainment". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
28. "Pointers". Railway Gazette International. London. 1 August 2007.
29. "Ghana revival starts as concessions are signed". Railway Gazette International. London. 10 September 2007.
30. "Pointers". International Railway Journal. Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. 6 March 2015.
31. "Tema- Mpakadan Railway line to be completed in 2023 — President Akufo-Addo - GhanaToday". 6 December 2022.
32. "Pesa zbuduje zespoły trakcyjne dla Ghany!".
33. "Pesa zbudowała pierwszy pociąg dla Ghany! [zdjęcia]".
34. "Pesa zaprezentowała pierwszy pociąg dla Ghany! [zdjęcia]".
35. https://www.rynek-kolejowy.pl/wiadomosci/pesa-drugi-pojazd-dla-ghany-zaczal-testy-to-link-120624.html
36. https://www.rynek-kolejowy.pl/wiadomosci/link-dla-ghany-wyruszyl-w-droge-poplynie-statkiem-120689.html
37. "RAIL.ONE Collaborates in Upgrading the Western and Central Railway Line in the Republic of Ghana - Railway Technology". www.railway-technology.com. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
38. MENAFN. "Business & Financial - International News, Currencies & Economic Indicators". Retrieved 2017-08-17.

External links

• Ministry of Transportation
• Railways in Ghana (photos)
• Addresses
• Rethinking rail
• Ghana Railway Corporation Managing Director
• Rehabilitation of railway line on course MyJoyOnline 16 March 2007
• Development; Inland port
• Ghana Railways at Ghana-Net
• Ghana Railways - Accra Station pictures
• Ghana revival starts as concessions are signed Railway Gazette International 10 September 2007
• Overview Archived 2018-11-16 at the Wayback Machine from Railway Gazette International
• The Railways Of Ghana - 2007
• Ghana Railways In 2003
• A History Of The Railways Of Ghana Circa 1930, Complete With Period Photos
• A Look At The Railways Of Ghana In 1914 Through The Eyes Of A British Reporter (Complete With Period Construction Photos

v t e Ministries and agencies in Ghana
Ministry of Interior	Ghana National Fire and Rescue Service Narcotics Control Board Borstal Institute for Juveniles Ghana Prisons Service Ghana Immigration Service Refugee Board Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture National Disaster Management Organization Ghana Police Service
Ministry of Education	National Accreditation Board Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs
Ministry of Youth and Sports	National Youth Authority (Ghana) National Youth Employment Program National Service Secretariat (Ghana)
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning	Ghana Statistical Service SSNIT Value Added Tax Service Internal Revenue Service Chartered Institute of Taxation Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Excise and Preventive Service
Ministry of Trade and Industry	Ghana Standards Board The Institute of Economic Affairs
Ministry of Health	Ghana Health Service Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
Ministry of Communication and Technology	National Information Technology Agency Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre Ghana Open Data Initiative Council for Scientific and Industrial Research National Media Commission
Ministry of Defence	Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) Ghana Armed Forces Ghana Nuclear Society
Ministry of Transport	Ghana Civil Aviation Authority GRC DVLA Ghana Highway Authority Ministry of Roads and Highways
Ministry of Energy	Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Volta River Authority GAEC
Ministry of Food and Agriculture	Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA)
Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation	Environment and Natural Resources Advisory Council Environmental Protection Agency

• Railway companies of Ghana
• 3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Ghana