Former President John Mahama has shared his concerns about safety procedures following the accident involving a newly imported train during its test run along the Tema-Mpakadan railway line.
The incident, which happened on April 18, 2024, has prompted Mahama to question the pre-operational checks of the project.
“How can you conduct a test run on a new railway line without a track inspection? How long had the vehicle been on the track before the test run? If I were President, I’d be asking some serious questions,” John Mahama’s post stated.
Ghana’s newly imported train is said to have rammed into a Kia truck that was parked right on the railway, causing some damage in its frontal area.
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Peter Amewu said there were no casualties recorded after the accident despite the train carrying passengers and some inspectors.
“And the good thing is that all the passengers and the inspectors on board the train, none of them got injured and we are currently in the process of assessing the damage to the train,” he said.
“Technically, I would say the train is still in very good form. Nothing in terms of electrical or the engine has been affected, except the front that got slightly damaged.”
Following the accident, Abel Dzidotor, the driver of the truck, has been sentenced to a six-month jail term after admitting guilt to three out of the four charges against him. These charges include inconsiderate driving and causing unlawful damage.
Earlier this month, the first batch of trains assembled in Poland arrived at the Tema Port to help make railway transportation better in the country.
Ghana is expected to receive 12 state-of-the-art trains from Poland to boost railway transportation, with the new trains expected to begin operations in May.