The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has responded to threats of strike action by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Railway Workers’ Union of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL), describing attempts to link GRCL’s salary arrears to the Tema–Mpakadan railway project as misplaced.

In a press release, the Authority said neither the TUC nor GRCL had engaged it or the Ministry of Transport before issuing threats to resist the commencement of operations on the US$447 million Tema–Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line.

Mandate and operations

The GRDA stressed that the Railways Act, 2008 (Act 779) vests ownership of all railway assets in the Authority, which is mandated to operationalise new lines and conduct proof-of-revenue services.

It emphasised that the Tema–Mpakadan line falls under this remit and that no operator, including GRCL, has exclusive rights over railway operations in Ghana.

Under the open access model, multiple operators, public or private, are eligible to apply for licences. To date, 17 applications have been received, but GRCL has not applied.

“GRCL has not applied for a licence, does not have the requisite rolling stock for standard gauge operations, and has not trained staff for the line. It is therefore misleading to claim the company has been sidelined,” the Authority stated.

Background to the project

The 97.7 km Tema–Mpakadan railway was completed in December 2024 at US$447 million, funded through a loan agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Indian EXIM Bank.

The line forms part of the Tema–Ouagadougou corridor, connecting Tema Port to Buipe via the Volta Lake and extending to Burkina Faso.

The GRDA explained that passenger services during this period are part of international testing standards to validate signalling, train control, ticketing, and maintenance systems before the project is handed over for full commercial use. Proof-of-revenue services are scheduled to begin on 1st October 2025.

Concerns over GRCL management

The Authority also highlighted concerns about the performance of GRCL, citing past investments that it said yielded little value.

It referenced issues including defective sleepers, abandoned materials, and the alleged sale of locomotives and wagons without GRDA’s consent.

According to the Authority, successive governments have channelled significant resources into GRCL, yet the company has struggled to sustain basic operations.

Dialogue and accountability

The GRDA expressed disappointment that the TUC had not sought dialogue with the Ministry or the Authority before issuing threats.

It urged the union to instead hold GRCL’s management accountable for what it described as “systemic inefficiencies and mismanagement.”

The statement further warned that any acts of sabotage or vandalism during the period of industrial action would be attributed to those responsible.

Assurance to the public

Concluding, the Authority reaffirmed its commitment to begin operations on the Tema–Mpakadan line in line with government directives and its statutory obligations.

“The Tema–Mpakadan Line is a strategic national asset. Misinformation, mismanagement, and obstruction cannot derail Ghana’s railway modernisation. The GRDA remains resolute in safeguarding this investment for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” the statement said.