The European Commission has approved a €20 million grant to upgrade signalling systems on Ghana’s Tema–Mpakadan railway line, in a move expected to improve safety and allow more trains to run on the corridor.
The funding will be used to install the European Train Control System (ETCS Level 1), a modern signalling technology designed to monitor and control train movements more efficiently, reducing risk and increasing capacity on busy rail lines.
The Tema–Mpakadan line, commissioned in 2024 at a cost of $449 million, is currently operating below capacity because of faults in its signalling system. At present, only one train can use the line at a time, limiting frequency and efficiency despite rising demand.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr Frederick Appoh, said the upgrade will remove that restriction and significantly improve operations.
He said the system will allow multiple trains to run safely on the same track while improving reliability and passenger safety.
According to Dr Appoh, the approval follows the submission of an Aide Mémoire on sustainable transport earlier this year and marks the end of the project identification phase. The decision was finalised in Brussels on 27 March 2026 after technical discussions with European rail interoperability experts.
The project will now move through the European Union’s internal approval steps, beginning with a Quality Review Committee assessment in May 2026. This will be followed by validation from member states in September 2026 and a financing decision expected in October 2026. Disbursement of funds is projected for December 2026.
Once completed, the ETCS Level 1 system is expected to increase train frequency, improve service reliability, enhance safety, and optimise use of the railway network.
Dr Appoh said the upgrade would help unlock the full potential of the line as a key national transport asset.
The grant also reflects growing cooperation between Ghana and European partners at a time when the country is increasingly relying on grant based financing due to fiscal constraints.
Dr Appoh acknowledged the contribution of international partners including Rail Baltica, Network Rail, Hitachi, Alstom, and Siemens in supporting the project.
The initiative is aligned with national transport priorities aimed at revitalising the Volta Corridor and strengthening rail as a driver of economic growth.
Once implemented, officials expect the Tema–Mpakadan railway to operate at full capacity, offering faster and more efficient services along the corridor.
Story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson
