Tema-Mpakadan Rail Project in Ghana to be Completed in Dec 2022

The construction of the 97.6km, Tema-Mpakadan rail in Ghana is expected to be completed by December 2022. This is an assurance made by the West African country’s Ministry for Railway Development led by Minister John-Peter Amewu. The latter made the assurance While inspecting the Volta Rail Bridge.

He said, “We are aware of the heavy traffic between Afienya and Tema. Consequently, we will procure two fairly used trains to ply between Tema and Mpakadan for passengers. This should be able to take pressure off the road as well as make commuters comfortable. That is what we are working towards, and it will be done shortly.”

Tema-Mpakadan rail project overview

This project is part of a multi-modal transportation network meant to improve connectivity between Tema Port and the northern regions of the country. moreover, it is a component of phase one of the 1,000km Ghana-Burkina Faso Railway Interconnectivity Project.

Its implementation begun back in July 2018. It was initially scheduled to be completed in 2021. However, due to Covid-19 pandemic delays, the project’s completion has been pushed to December 2022.

Upon completion, the Tema-Mpakadan rail will have six stations. In addition, one freight terminal will be constructed along the route around the port of Tema. This will, as a result  facilitate easy transportation of cargo from the country’s north and beyond to the ports in Tema.

The 300m long railway bridge linking Senchi and Old Akrade across the Volta River is also a part of the project.

Tema-Mpakadan rail project funding

The project is financed by the Indian-owned Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank). The latter has already committed $447m funding in the form of a buyer’s credit under a National Export Insurance Account (NEIA). This funds will mainly support the design and construction of the project.

Ghana’s parliament too had approved a budget of $230 million for the project. These monies would go towards the purchase of rolling stock for the Tema-Mpakadan railway. The contractors of the project are the Indian construction and engineering company AFCONS Infrastructure.