The University of Mines and Technology, UMaT through its School of Railway and Infrastructure Development ( SRID) has held the first railway observance day to share ideas with key stakeholders on the sustainable implementation of the country’s railway master plan.
The Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Professor Richard Kwesi Amankah says, SRID which began in the 2020/2021 academic year, through an MoU with the Ministry of Railway remains squatters on the site it is occupying as the Ministry is yet to give full effect to MoU and this has stalled the school’s development.
“UMaT School of Railway and Infrastructure Development became operational in the 2020/2021academic year. We are happy to note that SRID currently has about 800 students , and we are running seven (7) BSc Engineering programs.
As part of the schools curriculum BSc students will currently three railway related courses to enable them earn additional qualification in railway engineering.
In 2021, the School in collaboration with Aya Engineering in GIZ commends the Summer School Training Program on Railway Engineering and Allied Discipline,”
The Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsiah, was elated that the railway is being revived whilst at the same time, training youth with the requisite skills set in railway and its related Engineering disciplines.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Railway Development, Desmond Boateng enumerated ongoing projects aimed at transforming the sector.
“As you are already aware , the government has developed a railway master plan to serve as a guide for the fulfillment of Ministries mandate to systematically modernise and expand the railway network in the country.
Starting with the rehabilitation of the existing narrow guage network. However, due to the level of deterioration of the old narrow guage network, and its corresponding high cost of rehabilitation.
A policy decision was taken by government not to rehabilitate the entire network but unlimited sections from Accra to Tema to Nsawam on the eastern line, and Sekondi – Takoradi through Kojokrom to Tarkwa, “
