Ghana’s newly acquired train from Poland was involved in a collision during a test run in the Eastern Region on Thursday.
The train, the first of two Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) purchased from Poland, struck an abandoned lorry on the tracks of the Tema-Mpakadan railway line.
Local media reported that no injuries were reported among the train driver, inspectors, or passengers.
The Ministry of Railways Development confirmed the incident and assured the public of the continued safe operation of the railway system.
The ministry noted that the lorry was left unattended in an unauthorised location and the train operator applied emergency brakes upon seeing the obstacle.
A preliminary investigation showed that the suspected driver left the truck unattended on the railway line, leading to a collision with the train, the Ghana Police Service said in a brief statement.
The police stated that they had apprehended the driver of the abandoned lorry and that the investigation into the incident would continue.
Ghana had recently purchased two diesel-powered trains from Poland to improve its railway transport system.
The first new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train arrived in the country two weeks ago and was assigned to the new Tema-Mpakadan line, which is 100 kilometres (60 miles) long.
According to Yaw Osuwu, chief of the railway agency, the second one will be shipped in May and is expected to arrive in August.
The first train, carrying 12 modern passenger coaches, was running a test run on the new route, which is intended to improve public transport and open up Ghana’s eastern corridor.
The line is part of a 1,000-kilometer project that will connect Ghana and Burkina Faso via the Tema port, according to local media reports. (Guardian)
