The Railway Workers Union of Ghana, under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), is demanding an investigation into the alleged misuse of GH¢40 million earmarked for the rehabilitation of the Accra–Nsawam railway line.
The call follows claims by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Dr Frederick Appoh, that the funds were released to the Ghana Railway Company Limited for repair works but were instead used to procure wooden railway sleepers that have since deteriorated.
Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, May 19, General Secretary of the Railway Workers Union, Benjamin Essuman, said the union has given the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, until June 15 to commission an independent probe into the matter and make the findings public.
“We are calling for an investigation into this GHC40 million that has gone to waste, and we are calling for all investigations into other issues. We have given the minister by June 15 to come out with a structured independent investigation. It should provide full disclosure of facts, and after that, we need to present a report to the public,” he said.
The union also accused the Ministry of Transport of failing to comply with directives aimed at restructuring the Ghana Railway Company Limited and deploying younger workers into the sector.
According to Mr Essuman, the continued decline of the railway sector despite its existing assets is deeply concerning, particularly as workers continue to face financial hardship.
“Railways shouldn’t have collapsed with all the assets that we have. We are still suffering. Workers have not been paid for almost 12 months now. Why? And still, companies are taking legal action against the Ministry of Transport, and the minister is there; he’s not doing anything. We are calling for the deployment of 40 workers for now,” he stated.
He further appealed to the Presidency to intervene and ensure accountability and reforms within the railway sector.
“We want transparency, and we want the presidency to intervene by ensuring accountability and restoring sanity within the railway sector,” he stated.
