The Ghanaian railroad - a link between the past and the future
Thomas Arno Hellmuth-Sander
Visionary of modern logistics and lean management, known for his transformational contributions and visions for the future
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter, in which I focus on Ghana's railroads - a link between the past and the future. I take you on a journey through the history, challenges and opportunities of this vital infrastructure that connects Ghana's regions and people.
The first railroad line in Ghana was built by the British in 1901. The rail network was gradually expanded over the years, reaching Kumasi in 1903, Accra in 1923, and Tamale in 1957. When Ghana gained independence in 1957, the country had a 947 km rail network that served both passenger and freight traffic.
After independence, however, the rail network suffered from neglect, mismanagement and lack of investment. Many sections were outdated, damaged or unsafe, resulting in frequent accidents and delays. The rail sector also faced competition from more flexible and cheaper road transport. Currently, the length of the rail network is about 1300 km.
In 2017, the government launched a plan to renovate and expand the rail network and build new lines to connect with neighboring countries. The plan aims to expand the rail network to about 4,000 km by 2030 to cover all 16 regions of Ghana and provide connections to Burkina Faso, Togo, C?te d'Ivoire and Nigeria.
The benefits of this plan are many.?It will increase the efficiency and reliability of transport services, reduce travel time and costs, improve safety and comfort, and boost trade and tourism, creating jobs and income opportunities. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impacts of road transport, and contribute to Ghana's efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
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The challenges of this plan are also significant. Huge funding, estimated at $21 billion, will be required and will need to be mobilized from a variety of sources, including public-private partnerships, loans, and grants. It will also require technical expertise, skilled labor, and high-quality materials that may not be readily available in Ghana or the region. In addition, there are social and environmental risks such as land acquisition, resettlement, compensation, cultural heritage conservation, and biodiversity protection.
Despite these challenges, the government is committed to expanding Ghana's rail network. In 2021, for example, Deutsche Bank and Investec signed a contract with the Ghanaian government to finance the construction of a 100-kilometer railroad line. The line will run from the country's second largest port in Takoradi to the Huni Valley. The Swedish Export Credit Agency, the German Export and Investment Corporation and the Dutch Development Bank are involved in the financing.
Ghana's railroad is a link between the past and the future. It reflects Ghana's history of struggle and resilience and its vision of progress and prosperity, and is a symbol of Ghana's commitment to regional integration and continental unity. The Ghana Ice Railway is a catalyst for Ghana's economic transformation and social development.
I hope you have enjoyed this brief excursion into the history of Ghana's railroads. In my opinion, the Ghana Railway has enormous potential as a means of transportation for the future, not to mention that the Ghana Railway could also become interesting for the tourism sector.
Many greetings
Thomas Hellmuth-Sander
Project & Programme Management || Engineering || Design Assurance || Change Management || Strategic Rail Delivery
10 个月None of what you are writing here can be verified - what is your source of 4000km by 2030? The Western Railway in Ghana was first constructed during the colonial era under British rule. The construction began in 1896 and was completed in 1898. The purpose of the railway was to facilitate the movement of goods, particularly cocoa and minerals, from the resource-rich areas in the country's interior to the coastal ports to be sent to the West. Disrepair because the British who built and maintained the network at the time for the purpose of transporting goods to the coast for shipping out of the country, eventually left without a succession plan to maintain or expand what they left behind - a typical story of colonial influence in Africa. Lets get story right to start with.
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11 个月Thanks for the writeup. But please be sure of the sources of some of your information.? Ghana has never had a railway to Tamale. The railway (now defunct) that I know of, is from Accra -Kumasi-Takoradi-Awaso.??