Franklin Cudjoe, the President of IMANI Africa, has raised questions seeking further clarification from the Ghanaian government regarding its recent decision to procure 12 modern diesel-powered trains.
The government had announced the acquisition to enhance the country's railway transportation system, with the trains intended for deployment across regional and long-distance lines of Ghana Railways.
The Deputy Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, shared images of the trains on social media, confirming the procurement.
The Ministry of Railways Development Ghana also explained that the trains would arrive soon for testing and operationalization on the new 100km Tema to MPakadan railway line.
However, in a Facebook post on January 22, 2024, Franklin Cudjoe posed several questions regarding the acquisition.
He sought details on the plan or contract for the procurement, insights into the procurement process, and clarity on the intended use of the newly acquired trains.
In addition, Mr Cudjoe raised concerns about the Sky Train promise, given the reported $2.5 million spent on the deal.
He is eager to understand the Ministry's strategy for recovering the funds involved in this transaction. The inquiries indicate a call for transparency and accountability in the government's railway development initiatives.