Ghana signs 500m euros contract for construction of western rail line

The government has signed a historic 500 million euros contract for the construction of sections of the Western Railway Line.The contract, signed on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, is for the construction of a standard gauge rail line between TakoradiHarbour and Huni Valley, according to the Railways Development Minister, Joe Ghartey.
The deal is considered the largest single rail contract in the post-independence history of Ghana.
The contract was signed between the government, represented by the Ghana Railways Development Authority, and Amandi Holdings Limited.
MrGhartey, speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, says the project consists of the construction of sections of the Western Railway line.He says it will form a total of 102 kilometres of continuous single track railway line, with sections along the tracks, an initial workshop facility at a location to be specified by the employer, and an initial complement of rolling stock.
He stated that the indicative scope of the works includes the construction, provision, testing and commissioning of the construction of approximately 8kilometres (km) of standard gauge railway tracks connecting the existing dual gauge tracks in Takoradi to the TakoradiPort for easy and efficient access for cargo.
There will also be the conversion of 10.6km of the dual gauge tracks between Takoradi to Kojokrom from narrow gauge to standard gauge, adding that “this shall include conversion works and materials involved and supply of 10 new gauge turnouts.”
He says the project is to commence, hopefully, in October 2020, to be completed in 42 months, adding that it will lead to the construction of the railway line from Manso to Huni Valley, approximately 60km of single track lines, and in addition the construction of eight basic stations along the existing line from Amantin to Huni Valley, including all construction works, station building, access roads, CCTV and access control, backup generator and water tanks.
It shall also include 10km of loop lines and stations’ double lines to improve availability of the line for express trains, Mr. Ghartey says.
He mentioned that several other activities would be undertaken under the project, including the supply of standard gauge track maintenance equipment, construction of workshop facility for standard gauge rolling stock, including the basic fit-out, basic tools and essential machines.
He stated that a provisional amount had been earmarked for the employers and engineer’s costs and supervision facilities, including acquisition of land and payment for affected people, payable by the employer.He recounted that from 2012 to 2017, a narrow gauge line was constructed from Sekondi to Takoradi.The total length of the line, he said, is approximately 15 kilometres. The stretch from Kojokrom to Takoradi is approximately 10 kilometres.
“Therefore, even though it commenced in 2012 and was completed in 2017, barely three years, we have to convert it to standard gauge in line with the policy that all new constructions of railway will be standard gauge,” he said.
The impact for the contract cannot be understated, says Richard Dombo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railways Development Authority, who signed on behalf of the government.
Joe Ghartey asserted that Ministry of Finance had approved the terms and conditions of the proposed loan that has been signed for the commercial contract.
He said Amandi is an experienced company that built the 15km rail line from Sekondi to KojoKrom, 22km Kojokrom to Manso line, and the 4km rail line to Asaprochona, and are currently engaged in other construction works at the Takoradi Port.
On May 31st, 2020, the Railways Development Minister told Eye on Port that the year 2004 was the last time cocoa was carted on the western line, a development that has negatively impacted the cost of doing cocoa business.
He asserted that in order to address the situation, Western Lines, which are currently being revamped, will relieve the pressure suffered by roads which get constantly destroyed by heavy duty vehicles carrying goods.

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