John Boadu Calls for Thorough Investigation into Tema-Mpakadan Train Accident

John Boadu, the Minister for Railways Development in Ghana, has called for a thorough investigation into the recent train accident on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line. The incident occurred on April 18, 2024, when a newly acquired Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train from Poland collided with an abandoned Hyundai truck during a test run.

According to the Ghana Police Service, preliminary investigations have revealed that the driver of the Hyundai truck, identified as 41-year-old Abel Dzidotor, allegedly left the vehicle unattended on the railway line, leading to the collision. Dzidotor was arrested and has been sentenced to a six-month jail term by the Juapong Circuit Court after pleading guilty to charges including inconsiderate driving and causing unlawful damage.

Minister Boadu emphasized that all necessary safety measures were in place, but the truck driver's reckless actions led to the accident. "The railway company had conducted 300 successful test runs this year, and the accident occurred due to the unscrupulous actions of the truck driver, who left the vehicle obstructing the rail track," Boadu stated.

The train, which was conducting a site acceptance test when the accident occurred, suffered minor damage to the front cabin. However, the Hyundai truck was damaged beyond repair. The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has stated that an assessment of the train will begin to determine the extent of the damage and the time required for repairs.

Why this matters: The Tema-Mpakadan railway line is a critical component of the Ghana-Burkina Faso interconnectivity project, which aims to establish a 1000 km railway network linking Ouagadougou to the Port of Tema. The incident underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and security of Ghana's railway infrastructure as the country seeks to modernize its transportation system.

Minister Boadu assured the public that the police will continue to investigate the incident earnestly and that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the accident was a result of sabotage. The train, which is part of a fleet of 12 state-of-the-art diesel-powered trains ordered from Poland, is expected to be repaired in Ghana and will play a vital role in boosting railway transportation in the country.

Key Takeaways

• Train accident on Tema-Mpakadan railway line due to abandoned truck on track
• Truck driver arrested and sentenced to 6 months in jail for reckless actions
• Train suffered minor damage, to be repaired in Ghana for critical rail project
• Accident highlights need for railway safety as Ghana modernizes transportation
• No evidence of sabotage, police investigation ongoing