The Ghana Railway Development Authority has rejected allegations by the opposition New Patriotic Party that two recently acquired locomotives are outdated and suitable only for museum display.
The criticism from the Minority Caucus centred on claims that the locomotives are refurbished British Rail Class 56 diesel-electric engines originally manufactured in the United Kingdom between 1976 and 1983 and previously used by Colas Rail. The opposition questioned whether the engines were appropriate for Ghana’s railway operations.
Responding to the concerns during a media briefing, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Frederick Appoh, dismissed the assertions and maintained that the locomotives were procured following detailed technical evaluations and operational assessments.
According to Dr. Appoh, the selection process was based on engineering specifications, operational requirements and the needs of the Tema–Mpakadan railway corridor rather than the age or appearance of the locomotives.
He explained that the Class 56 locomotives should not be considered obsolete, noting that the model was produced across different phases between 1974 and 1998 and continues to be actively used in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Appoh further pointed out that rail operators such as Colas Rail and DC Rail still deploy Class 56 locomotives for various freight services, demonstrating their continued relevance and reliability.
He stressed that the locomotives possess the necessary tractive power required for efficient operations on the Tema–Mpakadan line and challenged claims that they are technically outdated, stating that there is no engineering evidence to support such assertions.
The GRDA boss also revealed that the locomotives and accompanying wagons were acquired at a total cost of GH¢38.7 million and are expected to enhance the performance of Ghana’s railway network.
According to him, the new rolling stock will improve both passenger and freight transportation, facilitate the movement of goods along the Tema–Mpakadan corridor and contribute to reducing congestion and pressure on the country’s road infrastructure.
The Authority maintains that the acquisition is part of the government’s broader railway modernisation agenda aimed at improving the efficiency, reliability and long-term sustainability of rail transport in Ghana.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
