The Ghana Railway Development Authority has dismissed claims that it acted illegally by taking over passenger shuttle services in Takoradi following protests by the Ghana Railway Company Limited.
According to the GRCL workers, the authority had overstepped its regulatory mandate by assuming control of the newly resumed Takoradi–Sekondi–Kojokrom train shuttle operations.
However, speaking to the media in Accra on May 15, the Chief Executive Officer of the GRDA, Dr. Frederick Appoh, described the allegations as unfounded.
He stated that the Authority remains committed to driving the growth and development of Ghana’s railway sector and would not be distracted by critics.
Dr. Appoh further maintained that “the GRDA has done nothing wrong in its involvement in the passenger shuttle services
He insisted that the authority’s actions are in line with its mandate.
On May 14, 3news reported that desperation is mounting among the over 800 workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) as they face what they describe as a systemic collapse.
At a press conference, union representatives detailed unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, and an alleged illegal takeover of rail operations by the state regulator.
The woes of GRCL, workers say, began years ago when the government cancelled the company’s annual subvention, the lifeline used to purchase spare parts and foreign inputs.
“That cancellation starved the organisation of funds to replace worn-out components,” the workers’ statement read. “We were forced to alter parts to keep going, which accelerated the steep deterioration.”
As maintenance ground to a halt, safety collapsed. Trains ran with improvised braking systems, defective signals, and a lack of basic protective gear. Illegal galamsey mining operations damaged track sections. Wages became erratic and chronically underpaid, crushing worker morale.
Yet the most damning complaint, according to staff, was an “unfair competition” imposed by the state. “When road haulage trucks were introduced to compete with rail for bauxite and manganese, everyone expected the railway to compete – but road haulage companies do not repair the roads. The state does. Meanwhile, GRCL is expected to maintain its own tracks, bridges, and culverts. What an unfair competition.”
Today, the once-extensive narrow-gauge network has been largely stripped and sold for scrap. Only the Takoradi‑Sekondi line via Kojokrom remains. And on that line, the service is not run by GRCL, but by the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) – the very body legally designated as regulator and asset holder.
Workers are incensed, citing Section 98 of the Ghana Railway Development Act (Act 779 of 2008): “The Authority shall not operate or manage a railway company or railway services.” Despite this, GRDA is running a shuttle service with just 40 selected GRCL workers, leaving the rest of the 800‑strong workforce in limbo.
The salary crisis has reached breaking point. According to the press statement:
· Salaries fell into arrears from October 2024 to December 2025 – a full 15 months.
· A partial payment covering October 2024 to January 2025 was finally made in January 2026.
· After GRDA sold rails, locomotives, coaches, and machines on 21 April 2026, another four months (February–May 2025) were paid.
· Total proceeds from the scrap sale amounted to GH¢21.6 million, enough, according to GRDA’s own sales committee, to cover 11 months of salaries. Yet the funds sat untouched for five months, and only four months’ worth has been released.
“After banks deduct accumulated loan interests, most workers take home nothing,” the statement said. “SSNIT and Tier 2 pension contributions have also been affected.”
With only 40 workers seconded to GRDA, the union is demanding answers. “What happens to the remaining workers, including those on the Accra‑Tema shuttle train? What is the way forward for Ghana Railway Company Limited?”
The gathered employees issued an urgent three‑point demand:
1. Immediate payment of all salary arrears, including outstanding SSNIT and Tier 2 pension deductions.
2. Government must clearly state the way forward for GRCL and the fate of the more than 760 workers not currently deployed.
3. GRDA must cease operations and hand over railway services to GRCL. “GRDA cannot be a referee and player at the same time,” the workers declared.
“The railway remains a strategic asset critical to Ghana’s economic transformation,” the statement concluded. “Neglecting it is not a disservice to the workers – it is a disservice to the nation.”
The workers have called on the government, Parliament, the House of Chiefs, and all relevant stakeholders to intervene and restore both the railway and the dignity of those who keep it alive.
By Kingsley Adusei-Amakye
