The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have extended their political banter to the ongoing Tema-Mpakadan Railway project over which party deserve credibility.
Whilst the NPP government tout it as a great achievement, the NDC is claiming credibility for securing money from the Indian EXIM Bank for the project before leaving office in 2016.
According to former Deputy Information minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the NDC Government in October, 2016, secured $398.330 million from the Indian EXIM Bank and at its 14th sitting on 31st October,2016, the 6th Parliament of the 4th Republic approved the credit facility.
He explained that on 18th November,2016, the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Railway Development Authority, signed a contract with the contractors for the project, Messrs AFCON Infrastructure Limited, for the construction of an 84.832 km rail line from Tema to Akosombo.
He however, revealed the Akufo-Addo government in March, 2020 secured and had Parliament approve $ 48.8 million from the same EXIM Bank of India for the extension of the project from 84.832 km to 97. 625 km which an extension of 13 km between Akosombo and Mpakadan.
Source:Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
