ACCRA
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama said Friday the government plans to absorb the Western Rail Line project into the Big Push infrastructure program, arguing that completing the line will unlock the country’s bauxite and manganese corridors and ease the movement of cocoa from farm to port.
Mahama made the announcement at the 2026 May Day celebration in Koforidua, responding to a call from the Trades Union Congress.
“We are considering absorbing the Western Rail Line under the Big Push program,” Mahama said. “It will make it easy to transport our cocoa beans from the plantations to the ports.”
The president said the government has worked to revive state-owned enterprises that had fallen into disrepair.
He said the Tema Oil Refinery has resumed operations, the Agricultural Development Bank and the National Investment Bank have been recapitalized, and the Tema Shipyard is resuming operations.
Mahama used the occasion to warn labor leaders against complacency. He urged the TUC and organized labor to call out mismanagement in state enterprises before it causes institutional collapse.
“When you see things going wrong, don’t sit aloof,” Mahama said. “Point it out and make sure corrections are done.”
The May Day theme, “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods, Resetting Ghana Beyond Macroeconomic Stability,” reflects the administration’s economic roadmap, Mahama said.
