WESTERN REGION CRIES OUT
As an unofficial spokesperson for the western region this is my list of key priorities for the government to rejuvenate western region. A revitalised western region undoubtedly turbo charges Ghana’s development because of its history, resources, and geography.
1. Western Railway Line – repair and bring back into service the western railway line, from Takoradi to Kumasi. This line connected people in major towns in western, western north, and Asante, and facilitated trade. Growing up in Takoradi we travelled to Kumasi either with STC or by train. There were two train services to Kumasi: the express (6am to 1pm, same duration as the STC) and sleeper (9pm to 6am). As a child who often visited Kumasi during the school holidays the sleeper gave me the chance to polish my geography and interact with people along the different stations. Memories of boisterous towns along the route – Tarkwa, Oppon Valley, Huni Valley, Prestea, Dunkwa, Bekwai, Obuasi. Restoring the railways will ease the burden of transport for businesses and ordinary people along the route and increase commercial activities. Also, the raw minerals currently transported by the mining firms to the Takoradi port via road would revert to using the railway. This will lessen the burden and attrition of the worthiness of the road network. Members of Parliament from the Western region must work collaboratively with colleagues from Western North and Asante to make this a reality.
2. Road Network – western region could easily win the trophy as region with the most deplorable roads. Complete all roads projects already started including the PTC mini interchange. The Accra to Takoradi to Elubo road, as part of the West Africa highway initiative, should be a priority. The Accra – Takoradi needs to be a dual carriageway motorway. The loss of lives on that road is unforgivable. Members of Parliament from the Western, Western North and Central regions must come together and push for this long overdue road project. By the way, why is the cost of building roads in Ghana astronomical compared to other countries. India commissioned a 700km Mumbai-Nagpur pure concrete (like the old Tema motorway) 6 lanes expressway at the cost of $9 billion in late 2024. It took less than 6 years to complete and included 33 major bridges, 274 minor bridges, 6 tunnels, and 65 flyovers. 700km 6 lane concrete expressway is like having dual lane motorway from Takoradi through Accra to Sunyani plus single lane concrete motorway from Sunyani to Paga. The 27.7km road redevelopment encompassing the Accra – Tema Motorway, the George Bush Highway, and a link from Nsawam Road to the N1 is supposed to cost $660 million (the 19.5km Accra-Tema motor way reconstruction alone cost $350 million). This would mean that a 700km concrete road in Ghana without the bridges and flyovers conservatively cost $16.6 billion? Can you believe this (Okudzeto Ablakwa voice)?
3. Takoradi Harbour – needs a reboot to make it a real competitor to its younger counterpart (Tema). I acknowledged that improvements have been made to the port but more is needed. With good transport links (road and railways) to Accra and Kumasi and a deliberate regime of lower tariffs/duties the harbour would be attractive to businesses from Kumasi and and beyond and those from the Sahel regions (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger). Members of Parliament from Western region would need to bring on board colleagues from Western North, Central, Asante and regions beyond Asante to make this a government priority.
4. Medical school – first complete the agenda 111 hospitals at Mpohor and Ahanta West, and the delayed redevelopment of Effia Nkwanta regional hospital into teaching hospital. Concurrently, a medical school should be considered under the auspices of University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, with Effia Nkwanta as the teaching hospital.
5. Science and Technology University – turn Takoradi Technical University into a science and technology university with a focus on natural and applied sciences, engineering, and computer sciences, like Caltech and MIT, to compete with KNUST, which is gradually losing its focus. Its lower level courses could be transferred to an expanded Takoradi Technical Institute (TTI). Note that Takoradi had the first secondary technical school (GSTS) and the first polytechnic (now Takoradi Technical University). Takoradi also has a technical institute (TTI est. 1982). A science and technology university would be fitting for the city that pioneered science and technical education and give Ghana an advantage on the continent in science and innovation – challenge Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa. Shanghai and Shenzhen, China, are attractions for global research and development because of their huge pool of science and engineering graduates.
6. Complete the Takoradi Market – the uncompleted project has made live unbearable for traders and residents. The pavements and roads have been hijacked by traders who have limited trading places. This has exacerbated the sanitation problem in the metropolis – filth everywhere, all at once.
All these will create jobs, rejuvenate the western region and its neighbouring regions and propel Ghana’s reset to prosperity.