The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has raised concerns over the rampant theft of critical rail components by scrap dealers along the Tema-Mpakadan railway line.

In an exclusive interview on Channel One Newsroom on Tuesday, March 18, the Director for Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of GRDA, Al-Amin Is-Hak Al-Hassan noted that such behaviour undermines the government’s investment in the railway sector.

According to him, a buffer stop as well as bolts, knots, and element control systems for traffic signals at Tema Harbour have been stolen. He warned that this trend poses a significant risk to rail safety.

He opines that the government spent huge sums of money on building the rail infrastructure, and thus Ghanaians need to take responsibility for protecting and preserving this critical asset.

“Somewhere around Kpong, we have identified a whole buffer stop being taken by scrap dealers. This is dangerous, bolts and knots have been taken, and element control systems for the control of the traffic signal in the Tema Habour are being taken. These are things that we need to provide secure and safe operations.

“If we steal them now, the government has spent $447 million to build the rail infrastructure. Why can’t we patronise this as Ghanaians? Why can’t we show patriotism in what we own?” he questioned.