Twelve to face prosecution over destruction of Tarkwa-Takoradi railway line

Twelve individuals are set to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, for allegedly vandalising a section of the Tarkwa–Takoradi railway line at Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has called on traditional leaders to assume stronger oversight of their communities and urged the Ghana Railways Authority (GRA) to intensify patrols to safeguard the nation’s critical rail infrastructure.

The affected narrow-gauge line, owned by the Ghana Manganese Company Limited, serves as a key route for transporting manganese exports but has come under serious threat from illegal mining operations.

A viral video showing the extent of the damage near Akyem prompted a high-level inspection on Monday, involving the Regional Minister, the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Issah Salifu Taylor, and a National Security Liaison Officer.

Investigations revealed that illegal miners had excavated the foundation beneath the railway bridge, removing the supporting soil and leaving the metal rails suspended in mid-air. In some areas, sections of the embankment had collapsed into nearby water bodies after miners dismantled portions of the track.

Clearly disturbed by the destruction, the Minister stressed the need for community vigilance and tougher enforcement. “We cannot allow a few unscrupulous individuals to endanger public safety and national infrastructure,” he said.

Meanwhile, some residents have accused officials of the Ghana Railways Authority of neglect, claiming they were told the new standard-gauge line under construction would bypass the Akyem area—a statement they believe contributed to the apathy and vandalism of the existing track.

Despite the setback, local youth and residents have begun community-led efforts to reclaim the affected sites from illegal miners.

Sampson Nyame, Assistant Superintendent of Tracks and Railways, disclosed that monitoring efforts have been hampered by the breakdown of the only rail car used for field inspections.

Confirming the arrests, ASP Den-Ben Eden Selassie, Operational Commander of the Western-Central Police Command, said the twelve suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned before the Tarkwa Circuit Court on October 7.