Western rail line to be extended to Nyinahin in Ashanti, and Hamile in Upper West – Finance Minister

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has unveiled plans to extend the railway line from Takoradi to Nyinahin in Ashanti and further to Hamile in Upper West. The expansion, set to commence in 2027, aims to boost Ghana's railway network, support mineral processing, and strengthen the Takoradi Port as a vital trade gateway to the Sahel.

Utilizing domestic resources, the railway will traverse significant mineral-producing towns such as Nsuta and Awaso, enhancing the transportation of manganese and bauxite to the Western Region's processing facilities. By facilitating the move of raw materials to processing centers, the project intends to retain more value from Ghana's mineral resources and boost local industrial development.

Furthermore, the railway line is expected to create employment opportunities along its route. The government also plans to develop a modern inland port at Hamile in the Upper West Region, which will serve as a crucial logistics hub for the Sahel region's landlocked countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. By connecting Takoradi Port to Hamile, the railway expansion plans aim to fortify Ghana's position as a regional logistics and trade hub, improving the movement of goods between Ghana and neighboring Sahel countries.

Dr Forson highlighted the project's strategic significance in supporting domestic industries, promoting local mineral processing, and generating employment. "This railway must power Ghanaian industries, support local processing and create jobs for our people," he emphasized. The railway expansion project is projected to establish a major north-south rail corridor, linking Takoradi in the Western Region through mineral-producing communities in the Ashanti and Western regions to Hamile in the Upper West Region.