President Mahama prioritises Western Railway Line, targets Nyinahini and Hamile in two phases

Government is prioritising the development of the Western Railway Line in two phases, beginning with an extension to Nyinahini to support bauxite mining, before continuing through the Western Corridor to Hamile on Ghana’s northern border.

The railway project is expected to strengthen the transportation of minerals from mining areas to the ports and provide a new trade route for landlocked Burkina Faso to access Ghana’s maritime facilities.

President John Dramani Mahama announced the plans at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Takoradi Port Dry Bulk Terminal expansion and floating dry dock projects on Tuesday.

In his address, he identified the Western Railway Line as the most commercially viable of the country’s proposed railway developments.

He said the line had the potential to support the transportation of several mineral resources, including manganese, bauxite and lithium, while facilitating the movement of containers and other cargo.

“Ultimately, the game-changer is the Western Rail Line. We have the Railway Master Plan. But of all the rail designs we have, the Western Line is the most profitable because of the manganese, the bauxite, and all that, so even if you take containers up, you can bring bauxite or manganese or lithium ore down to the ports,” he said.

President Mahama explained that the first phase would extend the railway line to Nyinahini, allowing the country to begin exploiting its bauxite resources in the area.

The second phase would extend the line along the Western Corridor to Hamile, creating an important connection between the Takoradi Port and Ghana’s northern border.

He said the extension would enable Burkina Faso to transport both imports and exports through the Takoradi Port, rather than relying on longer routes to access maritime facilities.

“Phase 1 will take the line all the way to Nyinahini so that we can start to mine the bauxite in Nyinahini. And Phase 2 will take the line and continue it along the Western Corridor all the way to Hamile on our northern border,” he said.

The President added that the railway development was part of a broader strategy to integrate Ghana’s ports, railway networks and road infrastructure to improve the country’s competitiveness in regional trade.

He disclosed that the Finance Minister was expected to announce the first phase of the project as part of the new economy plan in the 2027 Budget.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD