Cassiel Ato Forson announces Western rail line extension to Nyinahin

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced the government's strategic plan to extend the Western railway line from Takoradi to Nyinahin by 2027. This infrastructure project is a key component of the administration's drive to modernize the national rail network and support the burgeoning mineral processing industry. By providing a reliable transport link for heavy commodities, the extension aims to reduce the costs of moving raw materials and enhance the efficiency of the industrial supply chain.

The project focuses heavily on value addition for Ghana's natural resources, particularly bauxite and manganese. Connecting Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region to the Takoradi Port will allow for the transport of minerals to domestic processing facilities, moving the country away from the export of raw ores. Dr. Forson emphasized that this initiative is not merely about transportation but serves as a strategic investment aimed at creating sustainable jobs and ensuring that more value from the nation’s mineral wealth remains within the local economy.

Looking further ahead, the government envisions a second phase that will extend the railway line from Nyinahin to Hamile in the Upper West Region by 2030. This long-term expansion is designed to connect an inland port to landlocked Sahelian neighbors such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. By facilitating cross-border trade, Ghana seeks to solidify the Takoradi Port's role as a major maritime gateway for West Africa.

The first phase of the expansion will be financed through domestic resources, reflecting a policy of utilizing internal revenue for critical infrastructure development. Dr. Forson highlighted the importance of this fiscal approach in maintaining national sovereignty over key developmental projects while ensuring the long-term prosperity of the Ghanaian people through industrialization and regional integration.