Ghana’s latest addition to its railway fleet, a newly acquired train from Poland, was involved in a collision with an abandoned lorry during a trial run on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line in the Eastern Region.
The incident, which occurred despite the activation of the train’s emergency brakes, resulted in minor damage to the train’s cabin but no injuries were reported among the crew and passengers, according to BBC.
The lorry, found abandoned on the railway tracks, was not parked at an authorized level crossing, complicating the train’s inaugural journey.
Railways Minister John Peter Amewu expressed his frustration over the incident on Facebook, labeling it as “unfortunate, irresponsible, and unpatriotic!”
The driver of the lorry has been arrested following the accident, with police investigations ongoing to prevent future disruptions to the railway system.
“Despite the immediate application of the emergency braking system, the train was unable to come to a complete stop before colliding with the vehicle,” the Ministry of Railways Development stated in a press release.
This test run was part of a significant rail expansion in Ghana, aiming to enhance public transportation and improve access throughout the country’s eastern corridor.
The new 100km Tema-Mpakadan line, where the accident occurred, is a critical part of this development, set to link Ghana to Burkina Faso via the Tema port.
The first of two diesel-powered trains, comprising 12 modern passenger coaches, arrived just 14 days prior to the incident.
The second train is expected to be shipped in May, with an arrival slated for August, as Ghana continues to bolster its railway transport system amidst growing infrastructural demands.
