Adoa News Adoa News
Related Articles
A critical railway line essential for transporting manganese has been brought to a standstill after illegal miners, locally known as galamseyers, destroyed a three-kilometre stretch of track near Akyem. The destruction has left sections of the Takoradi- Akyem Nsuta line hanging dangerously over mining pits, causing an estimated $18 million in damage and halting a key contributor to the national economy.
The scale of the devastation came to light last week after a tip-off from a passerby prompted an inspection by the Ghana Railway Company. Officials discovered that the active rail line, which had been temporarily closed since January for rolling stock maintenance, had been systematically invaded and dismantled.
“Within these few months of trying to put things in order, the galamseyers took advantage of the situation and invaded the lines, destroying a very long stretch of active lines, bringing our operations to a standstill,” said Emmanuel Aggudey, Deputy Chief Civil Engineer of the company.
The scene at the damaged site is one of severe degradation. The destroyed stretch no longer rests on solid ground but is suspended over deep pits excavated by the miners. Other sections are buried under sand, rendering the line completely impassable. The damage extends to the rail tracks, slippers, and surrounding land, which has been extensively degraded.
The illegal miners are reported to have secured the land, including the railway company’s legally protected right of way, from local traditional authorities. They employ a highly destructive technology called “one leg,” which uses high-pressure water pumps to wash away earth after initial excavation, causing faster environmental damage than conventional methods.
Mr. Aggudey expressed frustration, revealing that the company had been aware of the threat and had proactively engaged with Akyem community chiefs. The chiefs had allegedly promised to keep the miners away from the line and to reclaim already degraded land.
“It is mindboggling that the community looked on and allowed the miners to cause such havoc to national assets,” Aggudey stated. “As we speak, the miners are actively working throughout the day and night with a high level of impunity.”
The incident has transformed a planned maintenance shutdown into a full-blown crisis. The company now faces a bill of at least $18 million to repair the line, a cost that quadruples the original maintenance needs and is far beyond the financially strapped company’s means.
“The money required is beyond the finances of the company, as even our workers’ salaries are in arrears,” Aggudey explained. “Therefore, the damage caused by these illegal miners is serious and creates a difficult situation for the company.
A full-scale assessment is pending to determine if the damage is confined to the Akyem area or extends further. The Ghana Railway Company is now hoping that recent national efforts to combat galamsey will clear the miners from the line, allowing the vital economic artery to be restored.
