12 Suspects to Face Tarkwa Circuit Court Over Destruction of Tarkwa–Takoradi Railway Line

By Justice Ahoto

Twelve individuals are set to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court today for allegedly causing massive damage to a section of the Tarkwa–Takoradi railway line at Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.

The affected line, owned by the Ghana Manganese Company Limited, is a crucial route for transporting manganese ore from Tarkwa to the Takoradi Port. It has recently come under severe threat from illegal mining activities that have encroached on its corridor.

A viral video showing extensive destruction to the rail infrastructure triggered a swift response from government officials. On Monday, a high-powered delegation led by the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, together with the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Issah Salifu Taylor, and a National Security Liaison Officer, visited the site to assess the extent of the damage.

Investigations revealed that illegal miners had dug out the entire foundation beneath a railway bridge, stripping away all the soil and leaving the metal rails dangerously suspended. In other areas, whole sections of the track had collapsed into nearby water bodies after the embankment gave way.

Disturbed by the level of destruction, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson called on traditional leaders to take charge of their communities and urged the Ghana Railways Authority to increase surveillance and patrols along the rail line to prevent further damage.

“Our chiefs and community leaders must rise to protect what belongs to us,” he said. “The Ghana Railways Authority must also strengthen patrols and ensure this vital line is not lost.”

However, some residents accused certain officials within the Railways Authority of negligence, claiming that two officers had earlier informed them that the new standard-gauge line under construction would not pass through the Akyem community — an assurance that allegedly encouraged encroachment and illegal mining in the area.

“They told us the new line won’t pass here, so people started digging and taking over the land,” one resident said.

Community members, led by youth groups, have since begun efforts to reclaim the illegal mining sites and restore parts of the land affected by the galamsey operations.

“We’re coming together as a community to stop the galamseyers and protect what’s left of the railway,” said resident Ken Amponsah.

Meanwhile, Sampson Nyame, Assistant Superintendent of Tracks at the Tarkwa Railways Office, revealed that monitoring the line has become difficult due to the breakdown of their only rail inspection vehicle.

“Our only rail car for monitoring has broken down, making it hard to track these illegal activities,” he said.

Providing an update on security efforts, ASP Den-Ben Eden Selassie, Operational Commander of the Western-Central Police Command, confirmed that twelve suspects were arrested in connection with the vandalism and are due to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court today, Tuesday, October 7.

“We have arrested twelve suspects who will appear in court today to face charges related to the destruction of the railway line,” ASP Selassie stated.

The incident has sparked nationwide concern about the protection of Ghana’s rail infrastructure and the broader economic implications for the country’s mineral export industry.