Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey has said the implementation of a railway interconnectivity from Ghana to neighboring Burkina Faso will create transformational activities for Ghana.
It will be recalled that the government of Ghana led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Burkina Faso side led by President Marc Christian Kabore in 2017 entered into an agreement to connect the two West African countries through the rail line to accelerate economic growth and development for mutual benefits.
The railway is expected to start from Tema through Mpakadan, which is currently under construction, through Hohoe, Nkwanta, Bimbila, Yendi, Tamale, Walewale, Bolgatanga, Paga, Po, Zabre, Tenkodogo, Manga and finally in Ouagadougou.
Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey made this known when he addressed the press in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Mr. Ghartey said that all regional capitals will be connected by the railway while a branch line will be constructed to Sheini, a village in the Zabzugu-Tatale district in the Northern region to provide rail access to a huge iron ore deposit sites.
The estimated 1, 200km stretch of the project according to the minister when completed will open up the country for economic exploitation.
“The city of Sekondi Takoradi was established by railway, not by the port. So, if we pray to God and the vision of the two presidents come through, Bolga will change, Paga will change, Navrongo will change”, he said.
Without any hindrance, Mr. Ghartey said a signing of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the two countries and a private firm is expected to end in September this year to pave way for the commencement of the construction phase of the project.
Burkina Faso Minister for Transport and Urban Mobility, Vincent T. Dabilgou on his part pledged his country support for the project. He added that the railway when completed will support the transportation of goods and as well reduced travelling cost in his country.
Meanwhile,Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage said the railway connectivity was in fulfillment of president Akufo-Addo’s commitment to develop the railway sector of the country. Madam Tangoba expressed optimism that the railway when completed will transform the country.
Source:A1radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Ghana
