{
  "id": 18273711,
  "title": "Tema-Mpakadan: GRDA CEO raises alarm over drug use, illegal activities along railway lines",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/tema-mpakadan-grda-ceo-raises-alarm-over-drug-use-illegal-activities",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T08:11:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/tema-mpakadan-grda-ceo-raises-alarm-over-drug-use-illegal-activities-along-railway-lines/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Frederick Appoh, the CEO of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), has expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in drug use, illegal activities, and encroachment along railway corridors in Ghana, particularly along the Tema-Mpakadan railway line. During a media engagement in Accra, Dr. Appoh highlighted that parts of the railway right-of-way have been converted into sites for drug use, bathing, open defecation, drying clothes, and the erection of unauthorized structures. He stated that some individuals have even chosen to reside in these areas, while others engage in activities that jeopardize railway infrastructure, public safety, and the smooth operation of railway services.\n\nThe Tulaku area on the Tema-Mpakadan line has been identified as a hotspot where residents use railway corridors for domestic purposes, further complicating the situation. Dr. Appoh noted that the presence of illegal structures and petty trading has made it difficult for security personnel to effectively monitor and manage the areas. Despite attempts by the GRDA to engage security agencies, he pointed out that such interventions are often temporary, lasting only a few days before personnel withdraw.\n\nThe GRDA CEO emphasized the need for a more permanent security arrangement rather than occasional responses to incidents. He also expressed concern over the social challenges posed by some individuals occupying the railway corridors, many of whom suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. These individuals often use the railway right-of-way and spaces beneath bridges as their homes, further complicating efforts to address the issue.\n\nDr. Appoh stressed the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, involving civil society groups, social intervention agencies, and local authorities, to effectively tackle the root causes of the problem. He noted that the Authority has written to several institutions, including the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), regarding issues related to illegal mining that might impact railway corridors, although the Eastern Corridor, including the Tema-Mpakadan line, currently does not face such challenges.\n\nHe proposed that the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection should be included in future interventions to address the social welfare aspects of the problem. Dr. Appoh also appealed to local government authorities, assembly members, and traditional leaders along the railway corridors to play an active role in protecting the right-of-way and discouraging unauthorized activities. He emphasized that protecting railway corridors requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, not just the GRDA and security agencies.",
  "summary": "The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Dr. Frederick Appoh, has raised concerns over growing encroachment and illicit activities along railway corridors, warning that the situation is creating serious security challenges and undermining efforts to protect railway infrastructure. He disclosed that portions of the railway right-of-way have been turned into…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The growing encroachment and social disorder along the Tema-Mpakadan line force the railway authority to shift from simple security patrols toward a complex, multi-agency strategy to protect critical infrastructure.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}