The government of Ghana has inaugurated the first standard gauge railway line in the country. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo performed the launch ceremony of the development which is set to transform the nation’s transportation and trade logistics landscape.
Construction of the 97km Tema-Mpakadan railway line began in 2018 and completed in 2024. It connects Tema, an industrial hub, to Mpakadan in the Eastern Region. The project features tracks, bridges, stations, and other ancillary facilities.
Tema-Mpakadan railway
Tema-Mpakadan railway line was funded by a $447 million credit facility from the India Exim Bank and executed by Afcons Infrastructure with oversight by Team Engineering of Italy. The line is integral to a multi-modal transport network linking Tema Port with Ghana’s northern regions.
The development forms the first phase of the Ghana-Burkina Faso Railway Interconnectivity Project, which aims to connect Tema with Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. Tema-Mpakadan railway line aims to boost trade in the country through facilitating efficient movement of bulk goods like fuel, cement, and agricultural produce. It will also strengthen the competitiveness of Tema Port and benefits landlocked neighbors like Burkina Faso.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo emphasized the role of railways in boosting economic growth and fostering regional integration. The government is committed to extending the national railway network to 4,500km as part of a broader strategy to enhance socioeconomic conditions.
The Tema-Mpakadan railway project sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects in Ghana and across the region, underlining the importance of modern transport systems in driving economic and regional development.