The Board of Directors of Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) undertook a five-day familiarization tour of its facilities in Accra and Takoradi.
The tour is to afford the members of the Board to appreciate, first-hand, the operations of the Company.
Members toured facilities in Accra by first visiting Tema Train Station and the DMU Workstation.
The state of the rail lines was also assessed from Asoprochona through Achimota Train Station to Accra Train Station.
At Takoradi, the Board toured the Headquarters of GRCL, Location workshops, Takoradi Harbour, and School of Railways and Infrastructure Development, Essikado-Sekondi.
A special visit was also paid to the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, who is a co-opted member of the Ghana Railway Workers Union.
Nana Nketsia bemoaned the sad state of the railway sector but added that the future is bright citing the government’s huge capital investments aimed at revamping the sector. He advised the current Board to do all in its power to make this a reality.
He intimated his wish to visit the Tema- Mpakadan project to see the huge capital investment government is undertaking there.
The Board assured Nana Nketsia V of their unresolved mission to ensure a vibrant railway sector which will boost economic development. The Board shall also make sure that the ‘Railwaymen’ regain their enviable place in Ghana as the drivers of the economy and technology.
The Board also toured its facilities at Nsuta and paid a visit to the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) Ltd, Nsuta where it engaged the Management of GMC to understand their operations and how GRCL can better serve the company.
Members continued to the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to interact with the Vice Chancellor and Management on issues of common interests.
The Vice-Chancellor told Members that the University have plans for better cooperation with GRCL in the years ahead. The School will be transformed into a University College, and further, be a full fledge University.
He added that the University is looking forward to teaming up with experienced Railway engineers to further improve training at the school. Going forward, short courses will be developed to give staff training in the latest technology and best practices in the railway industry.
The Board of Directors wrapped up the tour with a Board meeting to address issues concerning the company.
From the Board’s perspective, the future of railways is very bright. This is made at the back of fruitful interactions with players in the sector, the ongoing renovation works and the deliberate massive investments by the government in the sector.
Members of staff and stakeholders underscored the need for a positive attitudinal change to propel the Company to great heights.
