Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, has revealed that the John Mahama government plans to transform the Takoradi Port into a major gateway for cargo.
According to Ato Forson, the transformation of the Takoradi Port is directed at landlocked Sahel countries through a proposed railway connection to Hamile in the Upper West Region.
Ato Forson disclosed that the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional transit and logistics hub and to reduce the heavy burden placed on the country’s road network by cargo trucks.
The Finance Minister also expressed concern over the damage caused by overloaded vehicles, adding that authorities are preparing stricter sanctions to curb the practice.
He explained that beyond enforcement measures, the government is pursuing a long-term solution through the development of a 1,012-kilometre railway line.
Ato Forson disclosed that the 1,012-kilometre railway line will transport goods directly from Takoradi to Hamile for onward movement into neighbouring Sahel countries.
In a citinewsroom, Ato Forson stated, “My problem here is these vehicles that are overloading and destroying the roads. We will ensure that overloading and destroying this investment that we are making becomes a thing of the past, and it will come with very punitive measures”.
“The long term and the medium term is for us to have a railway that will serve our brothers and sisters in the Sahel. Bring your goods to Takoradi, and they will be hauled straight by rail to Hamile,” he stated.
Ato Forson further disclosed that engagements had already begun with Burkina Faso, Mali, and other Sahelian countries on financing arrangements for the project.
He disclosed that the 1,012-kilometre railway line is expected to be completed within three to five years.
The Finance Minister disclosed that the proposed rail corridor is expected to ease pressure on major highways, preserve road infrastructure, and boost cross-border trade, as Ghana seeks to become the preferred transit destination in West Africa.
In related news, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority front bench in Parliament has commended Roads Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza, for his passion and leadership in the sector.
The minority frontbench noted that the Road Minister has prioritised results over showmanship.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on June 17, 2026, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the Deputy Minority Whip, stated, “He’s not paying those people who are doing the awards for our ministers and taking money. He’s not paying. He thinks his job should show. You can see that his answers are rare. No, no”.
“Mr Speaker, he understands the politics. He understands proper man-management. He understands governance. And that is why he’s called Governs,” he noted.
Also, Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin highlighted that both Majority and Minority members of Parliament are political actors working in the interest of democracy.
He stressed that good performance should be acknowledged regardless of party affiliation.
Afenyo-Markin stated, “We are here as political actors. Minority, Majority. It is all for the good of democracy. When the man does it well, we must commend him at the same time. Today I’m commending you for being calm.
When I take you on, don’t take it personally. Today is not that day. But you’ve done well for the field visits. And I watched you. You did it with passion. And that’s it. That’s the right thing to do. Unfortunately, you were not awarded. Those institutions that are awarding ministers, I don’t know whether they are really looking at the performance of all ministers. Why is the road minister so calm? Anyway, pay the contractors”, he stated.
The disabled artist who paints with his mouth #GHNow pic.twitter.com/ThrMrh3w50
— GHnow (@ghnow_) June 23, 2026
