The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo, stated that the Ghanaian government will spend at least US$2 billion on ongoing and approved railway projects.

In his speech to Congress, the President confirmed that the railway sector’s expenditure forecast includes US$597 million for the construction of the Manso-Huni Valley Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line in accordance with Ghana’s 2020-2023 mid-term expenditure framework.

The funds will also be used to develop a standard-gauge railway freight line from Takoradi Station to Takoradi Port.

Akufo Addo said: "The development of this project will lead to the construction of a 102-kilometer railway between the Port of Takrate and the Huone Valley."

Other priority projects include the construction of a new standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Manso via Eshiem, and the conversion of the existing production line between Takoradi and Sekondi from narrow gauge to standard gauge.

The Ministry of Railway Development also plans to use the Ghana Railway Development Agency to fully repair 300 kilometers of existing narrow-gauge railways by 2023, build 10 new stations, and upgrade 8 stations in the national railway network.

In addition, Akufo Addo confirmed that he has signed six other contracts for the "missing links" of the standard gauge railway, including the section between Mansu and Dunke; Kumasi – Kaase; Kaase – Eduadin; Eduadin – Obuasi ; And Eduadin – Ejisu, there is a branch line to the inland port of Boankra.

China Railway Fifth Bureau (Group) Company previously signed a US$500 million contract for the Manso-Dunkova standard gauge railway project in May 2019. However, it could not be immediately confirmed that the contract was a contractor for other parts of the SGR.

In May 2019, China Railway Fifth Bureau signed a $500 million contract for the Manso-Dunkwa standard gauge railway project. However, it cannot be immediately confirmed that it is a contractor for other standard gauge railway projects.Editor/Huang Lijun