The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Dr Frederick Appoh, has disclosed that the European Commission has approved a €20 million grant to support the Tema–Mpakadan Railway Signalling Upgrade project under the European Train Control System (ETCS Level 1).
The Tema–Mpakadan railway line, commissioned in 2024 at a cost of US$449 million, is currently operating below capacity due to non-functional signalling systems.
Dr Appoh explained that this limitation restricts operations to a single train movement at a time, significantly affecting efficiency despite rising passenger demand.
He made this known to the Daily Graphic on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, following the recently organised EU–Africa Business Forum in Abidjan, where the commitment was reaffirmed.
Approval and technical process
Dr Appoh disclosed that the approval followed the submission of an Aide Mémoire on sustainable transport four months ago and marked the successful completion of the project’s identification phase.
He described the milestone as critical to addressing longstanding operational signalling constraints along the Tema–Mpakadan railway corridor.
Dr Appoh further explained that the approval was formally made in Brussels on March 27, 2026, after a series of technical engagements with interoperability experts.
Implementation roadmap
Outlining the roadmap ahead, the GRDA CEO indicated that the project would undergo several key processes, including a Quality Review Committee assessment in May 2026, followed by validation by the NDICI Committee of EU Member States in September 2026.
He added that the EU Financing Decision is expected in October 2026, with disbursement targeted for December 2026, subject to government processes.
Boosting capacity and safety
Dr Appoh noted that the implementation of ETCS Level 1 would transform operations on the line by enabling safe multiple train movements through advanced supervision and movement authority systems.
He said the upgrade would improve capacity, enhance reliability, strengthen safety, and ensure optimal utilisation of the railway as a strategic national asset.
“With ETCS Level 1 implementation, we will unlock safe multiple train operations through movement authority and full supervision, improved capacity and reliability, enhanced safety and traffic management, and full utilisation of a strategic national asset,” he stated.
Strengthening partnerships
He emphasised that the grant reflected a deliberate shift towards grant-based financing in light of current fiscal constraints, while also underscoring the strength of collaboration between Ghana and its European partners.
Dr Appoh expressed appreciation to the GRDA Board and Management, as well as key technical partners including Rail Baltica, Network Rail, Hitachi, Alstom, and Siemens for their support.
Aligning with national vision
The GRDA CEO said the project aligns with the vision of John Dramani Mahama to revitalise the Volta Corridor and reposition Ghana’s railway sector as a driver of economic growth.
