The Railway Workers Union of Ghana (RWU) has expressed profound appreciation to the government for the payment of 20 months of outstanding salary arrears owed to workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL), describing the development as a significant relief that brings hope and dignity to affected employees and their families .
The arrears, which covered the period from October 2024 to May 2026, were disbursed as of August 24, 2026, according to the Union. At a press conference held at the Kojokrom Railway Station in Sekondi-Takoradi, the General Secretary of the Union, Benjamin Essuman, highlighted the immense hardship workers had endured during the prolonged period without full salaries .
A Long and Tumultuous Struggle
The payment marks the culmination of a long and fraught period of industrial unrest in the sector. Earlier in 2026, the union had issued ultimatums to the government, threatening nationwide strike action over salary arrears that had accumulated to as many as 11 months by May . Workers had been left without pay from June 2025 to April 2026, despite earlier payments covering arrears between October 2024 and May 2025 . The situation had pushed many workers into severe economic hardship, with the union warning of a complete breakdown in industrial relations .
The intervention of President John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Transport, and other stakeholders, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the National Labour Commission, was crucial in resolving the impasse. Earlier in the year, the CEO of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Dr. Frederick Appoh, had acknowledged that government efforts had helped clear a substantial portion of the arrears, but noted that obligations continued to accumulate . A payroll audit and negotiations involving the TUC were ultimately instrumental in ensuring the full settlement of the 20 months’ arrears .
The Union’s statement captured the emotional significance of the payment. “The payment of the salary arrears means much more than a financial transaction to the affected workers. It represents hope, dignity, relief and renewed confidence that the concerns of railway workers can receive the attention they deserve,” the RWU stated .
Union Seeks Conclusion of Severance Negotiations
Despite the milestone of the salary payment, the RWU has turned its attention to another critical issue. The Union is appealing to the President to facilitate the conclusion and payment of severance packages for affected GRCL workers, many of whom have been caught in a restructuring exercise. Reports indicate that negotiations for severance packages for over 670 retrenched staff are yet to be finalised, contributing to anxiety among the workforce .
“We therefore respectfully appeal that the negotiations on their severance packages be concluded without further unnecessary delay, followed by prompt payment,” Mr. Essuman appealed, noting that affected workers had served the country under difficult circumstances .
Call for Accelerated Completion of Takoradi-Nsuta Extension
The Union has also urged the government to accelerate work on the additional 20-kilometre section of the Western Railway Line from Takoradi to Nsuta, which it hopes will be completed and commissioned by the end of 2027 . The Union considers this project not merely an infrastructure project, but a vital economic initiative that will strengthen the railway’s capacity to haul minerals—particularly manganese—increase internally generated revenue, and create employment opportunities, especially for young people .
The argument for this project is underscored by the current reliance on road transport. The Western Railway Line is a strategic route for transporting minerals from the Nsuta Mines to the Takoradi Port . However, the non-operational state of sections of the line has forced the transport of heavy minerals, such as bauxite and manganese, onto roads, causing significant damage to the national road network . The Union argues that shifting this haulage back to rail will reduce maintenance costs on roads and improve economic productivity .
The government has already taken steps to modernise the Western Railway Line, and the GRDA has reaffirmed its commitment to this corridor as a priority . The Union’s appeal aligns with broader government efforts to revitalise the railway sector, which also include recent initiatives to boost freight operations on the Tema-Mpakadan corridor to make the sector self-sustaining .
Looking Ahead
The Railway Workers Union has reaffirmed its readiness to work with the government and stakeholders to promote industrial peace and support the development of Ghana’s railway sector. It expressed hope that the government would favourably consider its two outstanding appeals: the prompt settlement of severance packages and the accelerated completion of the Takoradi-Nsuta extension, which it views as crucial for the sector’s future viability .
