Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Unveils 1,012km Railway Masterplan to Transform Ghana into Sahel's Primary Cargo Hub

Ghana is set to undergo a major logistical transformation as Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced ambitious plans for a 1,012-kilometre railway corridor stretching from Takoradi Port to Hamile in the Upper West Region. This strategic initiative is designed to position Ghana as the primary cargo gateway for landlocked Sahelian nations, including Burkina Faso and Mali. By shifting heavy freight from the nation’s highways to a dedicated rail network, the government aims to establish the country as a preeminent regional transit and logistics hub while significantly reducing the wear and tear on existing road infrastructure caused by heavy freight trucks.

In a direct boost to these railway aspirations, Minister for Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe confirmed the arrival of two new locomotives and 20 freight wagons. This equipment is a critical component of the national strategy to modernize rail cargo operations and enhance the efficiency of goods movement across the country. The government projects that the full development of the freight corridor will take between three to five years to complete. Discussions regarding project financing and cross-border logistics are already underway with neighboring Sahel countries to ensure the rail link becomes a viable, high-capacity alternative to the current truck-dominated transport system.

Beyond improving transit speed, the rail shift is a proactive measure to safeguard massive public investments in Ghana’s road networks. Dr. Forson emphasized that the new strategy includes the implementation of stricter regulations against overloaded trucks, which have historically caused significant damage to national highways. By capturing the Sahel cargo trade through the rail system, Ghana expects to generate sustainable revenue while lowering the long-term maintenance costs of its road infrastructure, creating a more balanced and durable national transport ecosystem that can support the region's growing economic demands.

Parallel to these infrastructure developments, BOST Energies Limited has addressed concerns regarding the integrity of the nation's energy supply chain. The state-owned enterprise officially refuted recent media reports alleging fuel contamination at its Kumasi Depot, labeling such claims as false and misleading. BOST clarified that its internal quality assurance systems successfully detected an isolated incident involving a tanker truck carrying off-specification fuel before it could enter the distribution network. The company reassured the public that no contaminated products were released to the market and that it has notified regulatory authorities to pursue action against the responsible parties, reinforcing its commitment to operational safety.