The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in parliament has accused the John Mahama government of acquiring a 1970s-era British train for the Ghana Railway Authority.
According to the NPP Minority, the government has acquired two refurbished diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons.
The NPP minority called for full disclosure on their age, condition, cost and long-term value to Ghana’s railway sector.
In a statement issued by its Transport Sector Committee on June 25, the NPP minority detailed that information available to them indicates that the locomotives are refurbished British Rail Class 56 diesel-electric locomotives manufactured in the United Kingdom between 1976 and 1983 and previously operated by Colas Rail.
They argued that transparency was essential to determine whether the locomotives represented the most sustainable and cost-effective investment, adding that they welcomed investments aimed at revitalising rail transport.
They noted that the government had failed to provide critical information needed for an objective assessment of the acquisition
Parts of the statement issued by its Transport Sector Committee read, “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”.
“While refurbished locomotives can still provide useful service life when properly maintained, Ghanaians deserve full transparency regarding the age, operational history, refurbishment scope, expected remaining service life, and total lifecycle costs associated with these assets,” the statement said.
The NPP minority noted that although the British Rail Class 56 was designed for heavy freight haulage and had earned a reputation as a powerful locomotive, the equipment was built more than four decades ago.
They argued that older locomotives generally require more intensive maintenance and incur higher operating costs than modern freight locomotives.
Their statement further added, “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”.
“Government must therefore explain what long-term spare parts arrangements have been secured, whether a strategic stock of critical components has been acquired, what technical support agreements exist with the refurbishment contractor or specialist maintenance providers, and what training programme has been established to develop local maintenance capacity”.
“The acquisition of refurbished Margaret Thatcher-era locomotives should not be presented merely as a symbolic achievement. Ghanaians deserve full disclosure regarding the age, cost and condition of the equipment, maintenance arrangements, spare parts availability and the government’s broader railway strategy,” it said.
The development follows, the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), which has taken delivery of two locomotives and 20 freight wagons for container and cargo operations.
The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Frederick Appoh, made this known in a Facebook post.
He disclosed that preparations are now underway for technical commissioning, driver evaluations, and final fit-to-run assessments before it enters service on Ghana’s railway network.
Some Ghanaians reacting to the NPP minority statement wrote, “1970s trains in 2026? NDC’s idea of development. Mahama buying Thatcher-era leftovers. We deserve real infrastructure. Dr Bawumia will deliver in 2028 Insha Allahu”.
“This government will not go and park a spoiled pickup truck on the railway line for the train to come and crash into the pickup truck. So that we can go and take insurance money and chop without thinking about the country. ” NPP is a useless party”, a netizen added.
One X user added, “At least we’re starting from somewhere, it’s better than no trains or trotro, so let’s go with it for starters, whether diesel or coal, it’s far better than having people wait for more than 4 -6 hours for transport”
“At least he is not taking on new loans that can not be accounted for. I would have wished you guys could have done half of what he has done in 18 months during ur entire 8 very unproductive years of rule”, a netizen added.
“You guys are very well uneducated about these things. You call yourself a political party, we should have been keeping you in power? Those locomotives are pure metals, what do you expect? Yet you procured old, old rejected military equipment for our military and sunk millions in hole”, one X user added.
See the post below:
Statement: Mahama Government purchases old 1970s trains for Ghana Railway Development Authority. pic.twitter.com/GVrnZz9j1J
— New Patriotic Party (@NPP_GH) June 28, 2026
