The Railway Workers Union of Ghana (RWU) has appealed to government to pay the severance packages of affected workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) and accelerate the completion of the additional 20-kilometre Takoradi-Nsuta section of the Western Railway Line.
The appeal was made at a press conference in Takoradi as the Union welcomed the payment of 20 months’ salary arrears owed workers.
The arrears, covering the period from October 2024 to May 2026, were paid as of August 24, 2026.
The Union says the payment has brought significant relief to workers who had endured prolonged financial difficulties and uncertainty.
For the affected workers, the RWU says, the payment goes beyond settling an outstanding financial obligation.
Benjamin Essuman, General Secretary of the Railway Workers Union, said the development has restored hope and dignity to workers and renewed their confidence in efforts to address their concerns.
“The payment of the salary arrears means much more than a financial transaction to the affected workers. It represents hope, dignity, relief and renewed confidence that the concerns of railway workers can receive the attention they deserve.”
The Union expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff and other stakeholders for their interventions in resolving the salary arrears.
It also acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Ministry of Finance, the Trades Union Congress, National Labour Commission, Ghana Railway Development Authority and other institutions involved in the process.
Despite the payment of the outstanding salaries, the Union says two major issues remain unresolved.
The first is the payment of severance packages for affected GRCL workers.
The Railway Workers Union is appealing to government to conclude negotiations and ensure that the affected workers receive their severance packages without further delay.
The Union says the workers served the country and the railway industry with dedication, often under difficult circumstances, and deserve to have their outstanding benefits settled.
“We believe that the payment of the outstanding salary arrears has created an important foundation for bringing GRCL workers’ broader situation to a satisfactory level,” the Union said.
The Union is also calling on government to accelerate work on the additional 20-kilometre Takoradi-Nsuta section of the Western Railway Line.
It wants the project completed and commissioned by the end of 2027.
According to the Railway Workers Union, completing the section will have significant economic and social benefits for Ghana.
The Union says the line will strengthen the railway sector’s capacity to haul manganese and other minerals, increase revenue, create direct and indirect employment opportunities and support economic activity in the Western Region.
It further argues that transporting heavy minerals by rail will reduce pressure on Ghana’s roads and help minimise the cost of road deterioration and maintenance.
Benjamin Essuman said the Union sees the completion of the railway extension as more than an infrastructure project.
“The completion of this additional 20-kilometre railway section is not merely an infrastructure project, but an important economic, employment, revenue-generation and national development initiative.”
The Railway Workers Union has also called for greater investment in Ghana’s railway sector to create meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
It says expansion in passenger services, mineral haulage, freight operations, maintenance, engineering and logistics could create sustainable jobs and contribute to economic growth.
The Union says it remains committed to working with government and other stakeholders to promote industrial peace, protect workers’ interests and support the development of Ghana’s railway sector.
The Railway Workers Union is hopeful that government will consider its two appeals and take steps to resolve the outstanding severance payments while expediting the completion of the Takoradi-Nsuta railway extension.
By: Portia Cudjoe
