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Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has commended the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Police Command for arresting 12 individuals accused of destroying sections of the railway line at Akyim-Bonsawere. The arrests come after galamsey activities severely damaged a section of the Western Railway Corridor at Bonsawere in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
The destruction follows years of deterioration and neglect of the railway infrastructure. The affected portion of the line was left vulnerable due to the suspension of manganese haulage from Nsuta to the Takoradi Harbour for over a year. In the absence of active railway operations, galamseyers encroached on the area in search of gold, further worsening the already dilapidated state of the rail line.
During an inspection of the devastated railway on Monday, October 6, Minister Nelson expressed surprise over the level of destruction. He demanded the immediate prosecution of the 12 arrested individuals, as well as sustained monitoring of the railway to prevent future incidents ¹.
The minister assured residents that the government remains committed to protecting the country’s railway infrastructure from further vandalism. He emphasized the need for effective strategies to stay ahead of vandals and prevent them from causing more destruction ².
The destruction of the railway line has significant implications for the transportation sector. The Western Rail Line, which originally spanned 947 kilometers, has been reduced to just 56 kilometers due to illegal mining activities and encroachment.
epos MBN360 news