The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the government to provide full details regarding its recent acquisition of two refurbished diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, arguing that transparency is necessary to determine whether the investment represents value for money and supports Ghana’s long-term railway development.
In a statement issued by the party’s Transport Sector Committee on June 25, the NPP welcomed efforts to revive the country’s rail transport system but expressed concern over what it described as a lack of critical information surrounding the procurement.
“Any investment aimed at reviving rail transport, improving freight mobility, and reducing pressure on the nation’s road network is a step in the right direction and deserves commendation,” the statement said.
However, the party maintained that Ghanaians must be provided with comprehensive details to objectively assess the acquisition.
According to the NPP, information available to the Minority Caucus suggests the locomotives are refurbished British Rail Class 56 diesel-electric engines manufactured in the United Kingdom between 1976 and 1983 and formerly operated by Colas Rail.
The party acknowledged that refurbished locomotives can continue to provide reliable service if properly maintained but insisted that government should disclose the locomotives’ age, operational history, refurbishment specifications, expected remaining service life, and total lifecycle costs.
The statement noted that although the British Rail Class 56 was originally designed for heavy freight operations and earned a reputation for its power and durability, the locomotives are more than four decades old and belong to an earlier generation of railway technology.
“The critical question is therefore not simply whether locomotives have arrived, but whether they represent the most sustainable and cost-effective solution for Ghana’s railway sector over the long term,” the statement said.
The party also questioned the government’s long-term maintenance strategy, pointing out that the British Rail Class 56 fleet has largely been phased out of mainstream operations in many countries.
Drawing comparisons with the previous NPP administration’s railway investments, the party highlighted its procurement of new Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) from Poland, which it said came with a five-year maintenance and technical support package designed to facilitate technology transfer and ensure operational reliability.
The NPP concluded that railway investments should be evaluated based on their long-term sustainability rather than the symbolic arrival of equipment.
