The program is aimed at gauging the private sector’s interest in partnering with government to undertake the proposed Boankra Inland Port and the Eastern Railway Line projects.

It will also assist in determining the market appetite and preference for specific private sector participation for the proposed projects. The Ministry will also expect feedback from potential private investors.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9JzQFyIwhizjWWu7EwlDh7bcaaUs2avG”]The New Patriotic Party prior to the 2016 election, promised to revive the struggling railway sector of the country.

The Ministry for Railway Development was thus established to supervise the expansion and improvement of the sector. The Market Sounding program forms part of series of programmes the Ministry is embarking upon to ensure that government delivers on its promise to the railway sector.

According to the Ministry, several investors both local and foreign, have expressed interest in partnering government in their quest to revive the ailing railway sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of Railnet International, an American company, Donald B. Kress, who arrived in Ghana ahead of the Market Sounding program, expressed his readiness to bring the American experience in the railway sector to Ghana.

He was optimistic that, Ghana can turn the fortunes of its transportation sector around if much attention is paid to rail network.

He added that, Ghanaians must support the government’s commitment to develop the railway sector because it stands the possibility of providing about 15, 000 direct and indirect jobs to Ghanaians.

The ministry further encouraged more investors to contact them with proposals on the development of the rail sector.

About the Eastern Rail Line

The Eastern Railway Line links Accra to Kumasi with a branch line from Achimota to the Tema Port. The total track length is 330 km, and the gauge is 1,067 mm.  The existing Eastern Railway Line was built in 1923, using narrow gauge standards, and was designed for an axle load limit of 13 tonnes.

The Eastern Railway Line currently is virtually non-operational, and the rail tracks are in a deplorable state. The tracks are worn out, the wooden sleepers are rotten, and the track ballast cushions are thin. Beyond Nsawam, the tracks have mostly been removed or stolen.

Some sections of the railway line have been rendered unusable. In these affected areas, there must be a complete overhaul of the railway formation in order to give it the requisite capacity to hold new tracks and the expected axle load, if the existing alignment is to be maintained.

The Right of Way has been encroached by commercial and resettlement activities. Human resettlement and commercial activities along the rail pose a major threat to the safety and efficient running of a rail operation.

Several permanent and temporary structures have developed within the Right of Way which may present social challenges to the development of the line in Tema, Achimota, Amasaman, Koforidua and other areas.

In most rural sections, the tracks are overgrown with weeds.

 About the Boankra Inland Port

The Boankra Inland Port, strategically located near Kumasi, was initiated in 1990 by the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, GPHA, and the Ghana Standards Authority in order to create an inland extension to the Tema Port.

Currently, the Boankra Inland Port, has been partially developed with an administration block, access roads and utility connections. Other plans for the further development of the Inland Port include an Inland Container Depot, port administration, shippers and freight forwarders offices, warehouses and commercial buildings.

The Inland Port will also require the development of customs coordination protocols, customs clearance procedures and controls.

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Anass S. Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The transaction adviser is expected to assist the Ministry to develop a bankable document and assist with the procurement of a private sector partner to undertake the development of the project.

[contextly_sidebar id=”o1HiyjZEiLkYIEHmysjTe9LDFsJLiO8u”]A document sighted by Citi News suggests that the transaction advisory role would be replicated in the development of the Kumasi to Paga, the Kumasi, and the Western Rail lines.

“The Ministry of Railways Development intends to apply parts of its budgetary allocation to payments under a contract for construction advisory services for the development of a metro rail or light road transport system. The first phase of the assignment will be a study, and we will have the following stages, identification of major travel corridors through a comprehensive traffic study including primary traffic and travel surveys, and development of land use parameters and transport demand modelling.”

Advice is also needed on “Technical, Financial , Economic and Environmental or safeguard as well as the legal feasibility of the selected system along the identified or agreed priority corridor or corridors in Accra and its environs as identified and agreed upon with stakeholders,” the document said.

The NPP government has declared its commitment to revamp the railway sector which has been dormant over the years.

The Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, had revealed that over 200 companies so far, from countries like the United States of America, Switzerland, Germany, China and Ghana, have shown interest in the development of Ghana’s railways, and have submitted proposals to this effect.

During his vetting, Mr. Ghartey said one of the tragedies of Ghana’s post-colonial development was the neglect of the country’s railways.

“One of the things our country should have focused on was the development of its railway. Railways bring jobs, development, and uplifts communities. Ghana’s railway system has collapsed,” he said.

The Minister continued, “President Akufo-Addo, through the establishment of the Ministry of Railways Development, has indicated that he wants to revive the railway sector, and has put persons from the Western Region to take charge of it. We will not disappoint. We will surely deliver.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Key among these projects, is the completion of the railway lines along the Sekondi to Takoradi via the Kojokrom section.

This according to government, “will help improve the operational performance and revenue of Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) and enable the Company wean itself from Government support.”

“In addition, it will enhance the performance and competitiveness of the manganese mine located on the corridor.”

The Minister also revealed that “work will commence on the Western Line which starts from Takoradi and terminates at Kumasi, having two branch lines namely; Dunkwa to Awaso and Kojokrom to Sekondi, covering a distance of 340km.”

He said the “corridor when completed, will facilitate the haulage of manganese, bauxite, cocoa and other bulk commodities.”

According to him, government has initiated “discussion to secure funding for other major projects, such as, the Central Spine which stretches from Kumasi to Paga covering a distance of 700km.”

The sections are Kumasi to Buipe and Buipe to Paga.

Eastern Railway Line

The Minister revealed that, the Eastern Railway line will “cover a distance of 330km and starts from Accra to Kumasi with a branch line from Achimota to Tema.”

According to him, “when the line becomes operational, it will decongest the port and facilitate the movement of cargo and passengers to Kumasi and its environs. In 2017, the feasibility studies will be finalised and invite proposals from the private sector.”

Central Railway Line

The Central Railway Line on the other hand will according to the Minister, “cover a distance of 200km and spans from Kotoku on the Eastern Line to Huni Valley on the Western Line. It will have a branch line from Achiase to Kade and we plan to undertake feasibility study on the line and extend it to Kibi.”

Railway is a catalyst for growth 

The Minister explained that government’s plans for the railway sector is hinged on the belief that “rail will be a major catalyst to drive the growth that we envisage in the coming years.”

“Rail transportation provides safer, cheaper and faster way of moving goods and people to facilitate trade and support economic activity. Our vision is to open up the country and provide new opportunities to our people to do business and trade among themselves. “

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

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The club announced the deal on their official website on Wednesday after the player passed a medical and secured a work permit.

The deal had been mooted for several weeks but appeared to have stalled because Everton could not guarantee him a regular place in the team.

But now the 22-year old will join the Merseyside club for the 2014/2015 season and is available for their Premier League opener at Leicester City on Saturday.

The player told the club’s TV station: “I’m very happy to be joining Everton because it’s a great club, which likes to play football, and it’s a great pleasure to be here.

“Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for me and I have achieved that dream. This is the biggest level for me to play at. I know that it’s a very competitive league and I believe with hard work we’re going to be successful this season.”

Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, a week ago, stated that he was looking to sign a winger, with the club competing in Europe this season.

He said: “He [Atsu] is a player who fits in with the culture and the way we want to play. He’s a very gifted technical footballer and he’s got the right personality and character to fit in with the group, which is vital.

“He will excite fans because he brings something completely different and a different way of playing to what we’ve got in the squad. He’s a left-footed player who loves taking people on and he’s got a really good understanding of the game for such a young man.

“He also brings extra competition in a position in which we felt we needed a player full of desire and hunger, who really wants to make things happen in the final third of the pitch.”

Atsu who played at the 2014 World cup in Brazil for Ghana starting all three group games as Ghana exited the competition at the group stage.

Martinez said: “For Christian, at 22, to already have played in a World Cup, to have been able to adapt into Portuguese football and into the league in Holland is a really good accumulation of experiences that will be very beneficial, especially with us playing in the Europa League this season.”

Atsu spent last season on loan at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, where he was named the club’s player of the season after scoring five goals.

However, with reports that Chelsea Manager, Jose Mourinho, wanted to monitor Atsu’s development in a more competitive league, a move to a Premier league club seemed likely.

Everton, who finished fifth last season, seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal have also signed Belgium forward, Romelu Lukaku for a club record 28 million pounds from the West London club.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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In the last couple of days, Atsu has been reported to be close to joining Everton on loan following the Toffees’ capture of striker Romelu Lukaku in a permanent £28 million move on Wednesday.

The 22-year old was a big hit at the World Cup despite his nation crashing out at the group stage, and following an impressive season on loan at Vitesse looks ready to make a step up into the Premier League.

That will not be at Chelsea, naturally, because even Romelu Lukaku can’t even force his way into their squad, so Sunderland may just be the ones to benefit instead.

Atsu could be “swayed by better chance of first team football at Sunderland”, who have been given permission to speak with him. (Source)

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) July 30, 2014

The left-footed Atsu would certainly add plenty of pace and energy to the Sunderland flanks, which had been a serious deficiency that Sporting Director Lee Congerton identified last season which was in urgent need of addressing.

If all goes well, Atsu will join another speedster, Patrick van Aanholt, who also made the switch from Stamford Bridge to Sunderland via Vitesse.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has said he wants – almost demanded in fact – four new additions in the next week, so it appears that things are just starting to really hot up.

Hard choice

The most important thing is that he gets to play in the EPL. Atsu is, with all respect to a decent league, too good for the Eredivisie.

That said, it will be easier for Atsu to get in the team at Sunderland but the challenge at Everton would help him improve as a player.

While Poyet can also develop him well in his style of play, Everton will greatly improve him as a player because of Martinez’s track record.

Public reaction

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By: Gary Al-Smith/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @garyalsmith

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