Ghana's vital railway infrastructure, particularly the Tarkwa-Takoradi line, is facing severe threats from rampant illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey. This escalating menace has led to extensive damage, arrests, and urgent calls for a coordinated national response to safeguard critical assets. Twelve individuals are slated to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 7, in connection with alleged damage to a section of the Tarkwa-Takoradi railway line at Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

A high-level team, including Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson and MP George Mireku Duker, conducted an on-site inspection following a viral video depicting the damage near Akyem. Investigations revealed alarming destruction: illegal miners had excavated the foundation beneath a railway bridge, removing all supporting soil and leaving metal rails suspended. Further along the line, entire track sections were dismantled, with embankments collapsing into nearby water bodies. The Nsuta rail line has also suffered, with nearly three kilometres of the Takoradi–Akyem stretch destroyed.

Dr. Frederick Appoh, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), has voiced grave concerns, describing the impact of galamsey on railway infrastructure as a national security threat. He lamented the persistent challenges in combating these activities, noting that illegal miners are often heavily armed and operate under the cover of darkness, returning to sites immediately after authorities leave. Dr. Appoh recounted personal experiences where miners evaded officials, only to resume their activities, making monitoring incredibly difficult. This challenge is compounded by the Assistant Superintendent of Tracks and Railways, Sampson Nyame, revealing that monitoring is hampered by the breakdown of the only rail car used for inspections. Furthermore, some residents allege that certain GRDA officials have contributed to the neglect by claiming a new standard-gauge line would bypass Akyem, potentially encouraging vandalism.

The economic implications of this destruction are immense. Dr. Appoh stressed that railway infrastructure is extraordinarily expensive, with construction costs ranging from $5 million to a conservative $49.2 million per kilometre. The ongoing damage not only undermines huge national investments—some destroyed railways date back to 1893—but also jeopardises future development, potentially doubling future construction costs to $10 million per kilometre. He emphasized that this is not merely a railway sector problem but a broader national issue.

In response to this crisis, a multi-faceted approach is being advocated. The Western Regional Minister has urged traditional leaders to exercise greater control over their communities and called on the Ghana Railways Authority (GRA) to intensify patrols. Dr. Appoh has called for a joint and sustainable national effort involving the Ministry of Railways and Transport, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of the Interior, and welcomed the formation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). He also highlighted the critical need for community participation and vigilance, citing successes along the Tema–Mpakadan line where local support curbed theft and vandalism. He argued for 24-hour routine checks by security operatives to effectively deter perpetrators. The Operational Commander of the Western-Central Police Command, ASP Den-Ben Eden Selassie, confirmed the arrests of the twelve suspects, while youth and community members in Akyem have begun mobilizing efforts to reclaim illegal mining sites, showcasing a degree of civic responsibility.