Twelve individuals are expected to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 7, for allegedly causing damage to a section of the Tarkwa-Takoradi railway line at Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, called on traditional leaders to take control of their communities and urged the Ghana Railways Authority (GRA) to intensify patrols to prevent further destruction of critical rail infrastructure.

The railway line, which is vital for transporting Ghana’s manganese exports, faces severe threats from illegal mining activities.

The narrow-gauge line, owned by the Ghana Manganese Company Limited, has been extensively damaged and encroached upon by illegal miners.

Following the circulation of a viral video showing the extent of the damage near Akyem, a high-level team comprising the Western Regional Minister, the MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Issah Salifu Taylor, and a National Security Liaison Officer conducted an on-site inspection on Monday to assess the situation.

Investigations revealed that illegal miners had excavated the foundation beneath the railway bridge, removing all supporting soil and leaving the metal rails suspended in mid-air.

The suspects are Larry Kweku, Labin Moeshi, Isaac Arhin, Eliasu Asumah, Nureeden Kwabena, Idari Mobe, Kwame Simo, Bernice Adom, Jude Asuma, Alex Kofi Aquah, Jonathan Ayandoh, and Combat Daniel.

Further along the line, entire sections of the track had been dismantled, with parts of the embankment collapsing into nearby water bodies.

Visibly disturbed by the situation, the Regional Minister reiterated his call for community vigilance and stronger institutional action.

However, some residents blame certain officials within the GRA, alleging that two officers had informed them that the new standard-gauge line under construction would bypass the Akyem community—an assertion they believe has contributed to the neglect and vandalism of the current line.

In a show of civic responsibility, youth and community members have begun mobilising efforts to reclaim the illegal mining sites in Akyem.

The Assistant Superintendent of Tracks and Railways, Sampson Nyame, revealed that monitoring has become extremely challenging due to the breakdown of the only rail car used for inspections.

Meanwhile, the Operational Commander of the Western-Central Police Command, ASP Den-Ben Eden Selassie, confirmed that twelve suspects were arrested in connection with the damage and are scheduled to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 7.