Ongoing investigations by the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) and the Ghana Police Service have uncovered a suspected plot by saboteurs to disrupt operations of the newly introduced train service on the Tema–Afienya route.
According to reports by Graphic Online, two separate incidents this week were recorded in what authorities describe as deliberate attempts to damage or derail the newly acquired Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train, part of the government’s efforts to modernize rail transport in Ghana.
The DMU currently operates passenger services between Tema and Afienya on the newly constructed Tema–Mpakadan railway line.
The first incident occurred on Monday, October 20, 2025, when a 10-year-old boy allegedly threw a stone at the moving train, shattering its front windscreen while 184 passengers were on board.
Investigations later revealed that the child was reportedly coerced by his father, who allegedly fled the scene after the act. Both individuals have since been arrested by the police, with the minor handed over to the Juvenile Unit for further handling.
A second attempt was made the following day, Tuesday, October 21, 2025, when a large stone was deliberately placed on the tracks in what appeared to be an effort to derail the train. Security officers on patrol, however, detected and removed the obstruction in time, preventing what officials described as a potentially “catastrophic accident.”
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects may have been offered GH¢20 each by unidentified individuals believed to be behind the sabotage attempts. The motive behind the acts, however, is yet to be established.
This week’s events mark the second time in less than two years that the Tema–Mpakadan railway has been targeted. In April 2024, a similar incident occurred when a truck driver parked his vehicle on the railway line during a test run, resulting in a collision that temporarily suspended the service.
The Chief Executive Officer of the GRDA, Dr. Frederick Appoh, confirmed the two incidents, describing them as “reckless and dangerous acts of sabotage.”
He expressed disappointment that anyone would attempt to destroy national property and endanger human lives for financial gain or political motives.
“It is shocking that anyone would deliberately try to harm passengers or derail the country’s progress,” Dr. Appoh said.
“We are taking swift security and repair measures under the ongoing Railway Reset Agenda to ensure the safety of all commuters.”
Dr. Appoh further confirmed that the damaged train windscreen had been temporarily repaired and that the train had resumed operations, with a full replacement expected within two weeks.
Following the incidents, GRDA has reinforced security patrols along the Tema–Afienya rail corridor, deploying additional personnel to monitor the tracks, especially in vulnerable sections.
“We are doing whatever we can to maintain a safe railway for the good people of Tema and the Adomi enclave,” Dr. Appoh noted.
“The threat is constant, but our response is stronger.”
He urged members of the public, particularly those living near rail lines, to report suspicious activity to the authorities to help protect Ghana’s national infrastructure.
“Safety remains our top priority,” he said. “We cannot allow the recklessness of a few individuals to derail the country’s railway modernization efforts.”
The Tema–Mpakadan rail project forms part of Ghana’s broader Railway Reset Agenda, a national initiative aimed at modernizing the country’s rail transport system, improving connectivity, and boosting industrial growth.
Commercial operations on the Tema–Afienya–Mpakadan line were officially reactivated on October 1, 2025, following months of testing and safety assessments.
Authorities have assured the public that despite the recent sabotage attempts, operations will continue uninterrupted, with heightened vigilance and security to safeguard passengers and national assets.
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