Ghana plans major railway expansion to boost mineral exports and regional trade – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans for a major expansion of Ghana’s Western Railway Line to boost mineral transportation, increase exports and strengthen trade links with neighbouring Burkina Faso.

The expansion will be implemented in two phases, beginning with an extension of the railway line to Nyinahini in the Ashanti Region to facilitate the exploitation and transportation of bauxite deposits in the area.

The second phase will extend the line along the Western Corridor to Hamile in the Upper West Region, near Ghana’s northern border, providing landlocked Burkina Faso with a rail connection to the Takoradi Port for its imports and exports.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Takoradi Dry Bulk Dock Project, President Mahama described the Western Railway Line as one of the most commercially viable railway projects under Ghana’s Railway Master Plan because of the country’s mineral resources.

“Of all the rail designs we have, the Western Line is the most profitable because of the manganese, the bauxite, and all that. So even if you take containers up, you can bring bauxite or manganese or lithium ore down to the ports,” he said.

President Mahama explained that the first phase would extend the railway line to Nyinahini to unlock the area’s bauxite deposits and facilitate their transportation to the country’s ports.

“Phase 1 will take the line all the way to Nyinahini so that we can start to mine the bauxite in Nyinahini,” he stated.

He said the second phase would extend the railway network to Hamile, creating an important trade corridor between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

“Phase 2 will take the line and continue it along the Western Corridor all the way to Hamile on our northern border, so it will be possible for Burkina Faso to take both their imports and exports from the Takoradi ports and take it along the rail line all the way to Hamile,” he added.

The President disclosed that the railway expansion had been prioritised under the government’s new economy plan, which the Minister of Finance is expected to present in the 2027 Budget.

He further indicated that the railway investment would be complemented by new port infrastructure, including the proposed Esikuma Port in the Western Region and another port at Debre in the Savannah Region.

President Mahama said the International Finance Corporation (IFC) had agreed to support the development of the Esikuma Port, which is being undertaken by private sector firm LMI.

“Indeed, construction of the Esikuma port has started, and there is going to be another port at Debre, in the Savannah Region of Ghana. And barges will move cargo from Esikuma to Debre,” he disclosed.

According to the President, the proposed inland terminal at Debre would allow Burkina Faso to receive containers closer to its territory, reducing the distance goods would otherwise travel from Tema.

He said the railway and port developments formed part of a broader transport and logistics strategy to improve cargo movement, unlock Ghana’s mineral wealth and position the country as a preferred trade gateway for landlocked countries in the West African sub-region.