Presidential intervention facilitates port rail connectivity
President intervenes in labour issues
GHANA: The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has intervened to ensure that outstanding wages are paid to facilitate the extension of the railway line from Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave in the Greater Accra Region.
The President gave the directive during a meeting with organised labour led by the Secretary General of the TUC Joshua Ansah to address salary arrears of rail sector workers.
The Minister for Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr Frederick Appoh were also at the meeting to address issues.
He noted that, while awaiting the completion of the Mpakadan Inland Port on the Volta Lake, the Tema Port, Dawa Industrial Enclave Railway line project should be executed and operationalised to facilitate the transportation of cargo from the Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave. The route will also facilitate the transportation of workers from the Ashaiman enclave to the Industrial Enclave.
President Mahama said the Minister for Finance will be appraised about the salary issue to make allocations to clear the arrears.
He also disclosed that, based on the recommendations from the transport minister, over a hundred railway workers will be transferred from the Western Region to Tema to manage the Tema-Mpakadan line, while those on retirement will be adequately compensated.
PHOTO: Port of Tema in Ghana. (Source: Adobe Stock Library licenced)
257