President Akufo-Addo inaugurates road over bridge at Afienya

Akufo-Addo has inaugurated a 900 Meters Road Over Bridge at Afienya to aid the easy passage of goods and passengers.

The Over Bridge forms part of the $447 million dollars Tema-Mpakadan Rail Construction Project and it will allow train to pass through Afienya without any interference from vehicles.

Speaking at the Inauguration of the bridge President Akufo-Addo said the government is committed to developing the Railway Sector despite economic challenges.

The over-dependence of road networks coupled with the lack of other transportation alternatives has resulted in congestion, rapid deterioration and an increase in road accidents.

As part of efforts to address these challenges Parliament in 2016 approved a loan facility to commence work on the Tema Mpakadan Railway Line.

The Afienya Road Over Bridge Project has been constructed as part of a new 97.7-kilometer standard gauge railway line from Tema to Mpakadan.

The project which was conceived in 2009 was to find multiple model transportation networks involving Road, Rail and Lake Transport.

President Akufo-Addo said the project will address the imbalance between transport known for long-distance transit and domestic freight movements from Accra and Tema using the Volta Lake Transport system.

The President was hopeful the project will also link the Tema Port to the lake transport network and open up the lake to the transportation of cargo goods.

It will also reduce pressure on road network and minimize the cost of transporting bulk commodities to the port and other destinations.

The Minister of Railway Development, John Peter Amewu, justified the loans received.

It is used for development projects such as the Tema Mpadan Railway project”, he reiterated.

The Indian High Commissioner of India to Ghana Mr. Sugandh Rajaram said the implementation of the project is further testimony to the growing relations between India and Ghana.

The President had earlier inspected the Afienya Rail station and later moved to Senchi to inspect the Rail Bridge Crossing at the River Volta.