The China Civil Engineers Construction Corporation (CCECC) is in the Northern Region to assess the area ahead of the Kumasi/Tamale rail lines construction.

A memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed which is expected to be completed in September this year in China for a loan from the China Exim Bank for the execution of the project.

Under the railway development plan the Kumasi to Paga section is referred to as the central spin and it is divided into two sectors- Kumasi to Tamale and Tamale to paga.

The Minister for Railway Development Joe Ghartey who is with the team in the region said the Kumasi/Tamale stretch of the rail line would be funded through the China Exim Bank loan.

He said the line would be less than 400kilometers and would pass through Sunyani and Techiman.

Mr Ghartey said at the time cabinet approved the Kumasi/Tamale route it also approved the joint committee between Ghana and Burkina route which spans from Accra to Ouagadougou.

This line would pass through the Volta Region through Yendi to Tamale and to Burkina.

Mr Ghartey said when it is completed Tamale and Kumasi would have major Terminals with Techiman and Sunyani satellite terminals. He called on stakeholders to suggest appropriate rail routes that will benefit the people.

The Northern Regional Minister said with one of the main Terminals cited in Tamale, it will create jobs for the people in the area.

Salifu Sa-eed added that it would open up the region for more investors come to the area.

He said Tamale is not only the hub of the three regions of the north but also the gateway to the Sahel regions.

He added the rail project would open up the food growing areas to the rest of the country.

The team later paid courtesy calls on some chiefs in the area.