Essikado: Professor Komla Tsey, a Professorial Research Fellow at Central Queensland University, emphasized the need for Ghana to transition from merely discussing ideas to implementing policies for the advancement of the railway sector. He highlighted this during the Sea-ing Africa Field school and Conference held at the University of Mines and Technology's Essikado Campus in the Western Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the conference is a critical component of the 'Sea-ing Africa: Tracing Legacies and Engaging Future Promises of 'Big' Infrastructure Projects in Port City Territories in Ghana and Morocco' project. Coordinated by Leiden University in collaboration with the School of Railways and Infrastructure Development (SRID), this event has become a significant platform for discussing the future of Ghana's railway sector.
Professor Tsey outlined the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the railway sector, noting that despite its potential as a cornerstone for economic transformation, progress remains inconsistent. He attributed this to policy inconsistency, underinvestment, and exclusionary decision-making processes. Tsey advocated for a shift in approach, emphasizing the necessity of moving from mere dialogue to actionable decisions that include the voices of communities, workers, and local producers.
He stressed the importance of re-evaluating the structural legacy of the railway sector, which was originally designed for extraction rather than inclusion. This legacy continues to influence investment decisions and the distribution of benefits. The Professor called for the Railway Master Plan, and current investment negotiations, to enhance community involvement, environmental oversight, and opportunities for local businesses along railway corridors.
Dr. Costanza Franceschini, Coordinator of the Field School and Postdoctoral Researcher at Leiden University, addressed the impact of infrastructure on local communities and livelihoods. She discussed the intertwined nature of ports, railways, and roads with geopolitics, economic systems, and cultural values. Franceschini also remarked on the colonial-era infrastructure designed to exploit resources, much of which has deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance.
The conference underscored the urgency of reforming Ghana's railway sector into a priority that directly impacts national development, job creation, equity, and economic growth.