The Ministry of Transport has defended the government's acquisition of two diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, dismissing concerns raised by critics as inaccurate and technic
The report indicates that the Ministry of Transport has defended the government’s acquisition of two diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, dismissing concerns raised by critics as inaccurate and technically unfounded.
It further notes that videos of the newly acquired two diesel locomotives and freight wagons have been shared on social media amidst varied reactions with some concluding that they were old and outdated and not modern.
But in a statement issued on Thursday [July 2, 2026] by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Transport, the ministry stated the criticism of the British Rail Class 56 locomotives as outdated reflected a misunderstanding of railway engineering and operations.
It explained that the locomotives are not assessed solely by their age but by factors such as structural integrity, refurbishment quality, reliability, maintainability, route compatibility, spare parts availability and commercial performance.
The ministry stated the two locomotives underwent extensive refurbishment in the United Kingdom before being imported into Ghana.
The work included complete overhauls of the diesel engines, traction motors, electrical traction equipment, bogies and braking systems, as well as the installation of modern railway communication and safety systems.
The Ministry explained that the locomotives were also tested and certified before export and are backed by a five-year warranty against operational defects.
The Ministry stated that with routine maintenance, the locomotives were expected to remain operational for at least 15 years before requiring major overhauls.
Addressing concerns about maintenance and the availability of spare parts, the Ministry noted that the Class 56 locomotives remain in active commercial freight service in the United Kingdom and Hungary.
It added that the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has secured commitments from suppliers to maintain a five-year stock of essential spare parts, while specialised engineers have already begun training Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) technicians and engineers to build local maintenance capacity.
The Ministry also defended the cost of the acquisition, noting that the two freight locomotives and 20 container wagons were purchased for approximately US$3.18 million.
It contrasted this with the previous administration’s procurement of two PESA Diesel Multiple Unit passenger trains for about US$14.67 million.
According to the Ministry, comparisons between the two acquisitions were misleading because they serve different purposes.
“While the PESA trains were designed for passenger transport, the newly acquired Class 56 locomotives are intended for heavy freight operations and the establishment of Ghana’s first structured container rail freight business.” The Ministry said
