Government is set to begin the construction of 84 kilometer railway lines from Tema to Akosombo from October this year.

The project is expected to cost $388 million, Chief Executive of the Ghana Railways Development Authority Richard Dombo told Joy FM’s Beatrice Adu.

The project forms part of plans to redevelop the railways system in Ghana. The project is to be funded with an Exim Bank loan.

At a consultative stakeholder meeting in Accra Thursday Chief Executive of the Ghana Railways Development Authority Richard Dombo said everything has been put in place to ensure the programme comes off as planned.

He however warned that there will be no compensation for persons who encroach on the land to be used for the project.

According to him, if there will be any compensation at all, it will go to persons who did not encroach on the land but are directly affected by the project.

“It is embedded in such contracts the issue of compensation. Only those who are legally affected, in other words you have not encroached. If you encroach on the right of way and you are required to move your assets, you are not entitled to compensation,” he explained.

Deputy Sector Minister Kweku Agyenim Boateng said the project will speed up the development of Ghana.

"What we have currently is a 947 kilometers of rail with only a third of which is functional. 

"That doesn’t speak well of a country that wants to develop and create opportunities," he lamented.

He said it is not a coincidence that all developed countries have an efficient railway transport and Ghana must take a cue if it wants to develop.

He said it is part of the reason why the Railways Ministry was set up to focus on the development of the railway sector.