Ghana Railway Dev’t Authority Disassociates Itself from GRCL Strike, Assures Public of Uninterrupted Services

Accra, Ghana - 13 May, 2025 - The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has issued a statement assuring the public that its operations remain unaffected by the ongoing industrial action by workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL).

The GRCL workers have begun a nationwide sit-down strike to demand eight months' salary arrears, which the government has allegedly delayed in paying.

The GRDA, in a press statement signed by its Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Frederick Appoh, emphasized that the two institutions are separate entities with distinct legal roles and responsibilities. While the GRDA is responsible for the ownership, development, maintenance, and regulation of railway infrastructure, the GRCL operates railway services, including passenger and freight transport.

The GRDA clarified that it is focused on final preparations for the operationalization of the newly constructed 97-kilometer Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line, supported by two newly procured trains. The authority assured the public that its work will not be disrupted and urged the public to distinguish between the GRDA and the GRCL.

Dr. Appoh reiterated the GRDA's commitment to advancing key projects and delivering efficient railway infrastructure for national development. The authority thanked the public for its continued support and understanding as it works to fulfill its mandate under Ghana's Railway Master Plan.

Read the full statement below.

Clarification on Demonstration by Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL)

Accra, May 12, 2025

The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) wishes to clarify that the industrial action taken by the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, is entirely unrelated to the GRDA.

The GRDA and the GRCL are separate entities with distinct legal mandates. The GRDA was established under the Railways Act, 2008 (Act 779) to own, develop, maintain and regulate railway infrastructure in Ghana. Since the coming into force of Act 779, the GRCL, a state-owned limited liability company, has focused mainly on operating railway services, including passenger and freight transport.

We wish to assure the public that the GRDA remains fully operational and has not initiated or endorsed any form of public demonstration on any issue. We are, indeed, focused on final preparations for the operationalisation of the newly constructed 97-kilometre Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line, supported by two new trains government has procured.

This milestone reflects GRDA’s continued commitment to fulfilling its infrastructure development mandate and streamlining operational requirements of the new Standard Gauge railway lines we are leading to develop through the Railway Master Plan of Ghana. We reiterate that, there is no disruption to our work, and our operations remain unaffected by any industrial action by the GRCL.

We encourage the public to distinguish between the two institutions and note that the planned strike by the GRCL does not impact the GRDA or our activities. Our staff remain dedicated to advancing key projects and delivering efficient railway infrastructure for national development.

We thank the public for its continued support and understanding.

Signed
Dr Frederick Appoh
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA)

Source: Lead News Online