- The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has announced that the approximately 97 km Tema–Mpakadan standard-gauge railway is being opened to qualified private-sector freight operators under an Open Access Model.
- The line connects Tema with Mpakadan on the Volta Lake, and passenger services between Tema and Afienya commenced in October 2025.
- A 10-member technical committee inaugurated in August 2025 is responsible for overseeing the selection of operators for the Tema–Mpakadan line, with GRDA Chief Executive Officer Dr Frederick Appoh as chairman.
- Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe confirmed on 9 September 2026 that two diesel locomotives and 20 wagons had been procured for freight operations.
- The Ministry of Transport has outlined a new Mpakadan port facility to transfer containers and other freight from railway wagons onto barges on the Volta Lake.
- Under the proposed arrangement, cargo would continue by barge to Buipe and then by road to northern Ghana and neighbouring landlocked countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has announced that the Tema–Mpakadan standard-gauge railway is being opened to private-sector freight operators under an Open Access Model, allowing qualified companies to utilise the railway infrastructure for commercial freight services.
The announcement advances Ghana’s plans to introduce private-sector participation in railway operations, alongside preparations to move freight from the Port of Tema towards northern Ghana through a combination of rail and inland water transport.
The approximately 97 km railway connects Tema with Mpakadan, on the Volta Lake. While construction of the line has been completed and passenger services between Tema and Afienya commenced in October 2025, the government has been preparing the infrastructure, rolling stock and cargo-handling facilities required for freight operations.
Private-Sector Access and Operator Selection
Under the announced model, qualified private operators will be able to use the railway infrastructure to provide freight transport services. GRDA says the initiative is intended to increase private-sector participation, introduce competition into rail freight operations and support the movement of goods by rail rather than road.
The move follows an earlier government initiative to establish a framework for private participation in railway operations and infrastructure development.
In August 2025, the Ministry of Transport inaugurated a 10-member technical committee with responsibilities covering the Tema–Mpakadan Railway and the Western Railway Line.
The committee’s mandate included appointing a transaction adviser, evaluating proposals from strategic investors and technical partners, coordinating private-sector engagement and overseeing the selection of operators for the Tema–Mpakadan line.
GRDA Chief Executive Officer Dr Frederick Appoh was appointed chairman of the committee, with the Authority also providing secretariat support.
Freight Locomotives and Wagons Procured
Preparations for freight operations have also included the procurement of rolling stock.
At the 2026 Transport Sector Review Conference on 9 September, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe confirmed that GRDA was taking steps to commence freight operations on the Tema–Mpakadan Railway and that two diesel locomotives and 20 wagons had been procured.
The rolling stock is intended to support the movement of freight along the corridor. Its procurement forms part of the preparations to establish commercial cargo services on the completed railway.
Mpakadan Port Development and the Volta Lake Connection
An important component of the freight programme is the development of facilities at Mpakadan to transfer cargo between rail and inland water transport.
On 4 September 2026, the Ministry of Transport outlined plans for a new port facility at Mpakadan to accommodate the transfer of containers and other freight from railway wagons onto barges operating on the Volta Lake.
Under the proposed multimodal transport arrangement, cargo would move by rail from the Port of Tema to Mpakadan, continue by barge across the Volta Lake to Buipe, and then be transported by road to destinations in northern Ghana and neighbouring landlocked countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The proposed arrangement is intended to reduce the reliance on long-distance road haulage and provide an alternative route for cargo moving through the Port of Tema.
During an inspection of the Mpakadan rail and port facilities on 7 September 2026, Minister Nikpe reviewed ongoing works intended to support container movements from Tema towards northern Ghana.
The Minister has called for continued coordination between GRDA, Volta Lake Transport Limited (VLTL) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to ensure that the facilities are brought into operation.
The government’s stated objective is to connect maritime, railway, inland waterway and road transport services into a functioning freight logistics system.
