The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has clarified that the ongoing industrial action by workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) has no connection to it and does not affect its operations.
Workers of the GRCL today began a sit-down strike across the country to demand their eight months’ salary arrears.
The over 900 workers say the government has delayed in honoring its obligation, leaving them frustrated. The workers were seen clad in red armbands, protesting the undue delay in payment.
In a press statement issued by Dr Frederick Appoh, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the GRDA, the authority emphasized that the two institutions—GRDA and GRCL—are separate entities with distinct legal roles and responsibilities.
While the GRDA, established under the Railways Act, 2008 (Act 779), is responsible for the ownership, development, maintenance, and regulation of railway infrastructure, the GRCL operates railway services including passenger and freight transport.
“We wish to assure the public that the GRDA remains fully operational and has not initiated or endorsed any form of public demonstration on any issue,” the statement said.
Dr. Appoh noted that the GRDA is currently focused on final preparations for the operationalization of the newly constructed 97-kilometer Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line. The project is supported by two newly procured trains as part of efforts to modernize Ghana’s railway network.
He reiterated that there will be no disruption to the Authority’s work and urged the public to distinguish between the GRDA and the GRCL.
“Our staff remain dedicated to advancing key projects and delivering efficient railway infrastructure for national development,” the statement added.
The GRDA thanked the public for its continued support and understanding as it works to fulfill its mandate under Ghana’s Railway Master Plan.
Read the full statement below
Clarification on Demonstration by Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL)
Accra, May 12, 2025
The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) wishes to clarify that the industrial action taken by the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, is entirely unrelated to the GRDA.
The GRDA and the GRCL are separate entities with distinct legal mandates. The GRDA was established under the Railways Act, 2008 (Act 779) to own, develop, maintain, and regulate railway infrastructure in Ghana. Since the coming into force of Act 779, the GRCL, a state-owned limited liability company, has focused mainly on operating railway services, including passenger and freight transport.
We wish to assure the public that the GRDA remains fully operational and has not initiated or endorsed any form of public demonstration on any issue. We are, indeed, focused on final preparations for the operationalization of the newly constructed 97-kilometer Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line, supported by two new trains the government has procured.
This milestone reflects GRDA’s continued commitment to fulfilling its infrastructure development mandate and streamlining operational requirements of the new Standard Gauge railway lines we are leading to develop through the Railway Master Plan of Ghana. We reiterate that there is no disruption to our work, and our operations remain unaffected by any industrial action by the GRCL.
We encourage the public to distinguish between the two institutions and note that the planned strike by the GRCL does not impact the GRDA or our activities. Our staff remains dedicated to advancing key projects and delivering efficient railway infrastructure for national development.
We thank the public for its continued support and understanding.
Signed
Dr Frederick Appoh
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA)
CNR
