Sections of the Achimota-Nsawam railway line in the Greater Accra Region have been stripped of their bars by unidentified individuals, causing significant disruption to railway services.
According to residents living along the railway, about 20 men equipped with tools carried out the theft over multiple incidents. Witnesses report that the first group arrived at midnight, while the second followed around 6 a.m.
“We saw them removing the bars overnight. None of us recognized them, and we have no information about who they are,” a resident told JoyNews.
The theft reportedly occurred two months ago. When questioned, the culprits claimed they were acting on “authority from above” and even arrived with police support during one instance.
“They told us they had orders from the Flagstaff House. When we demanded proof, they produced a document allegedly from the office of the president,” said a local youth leader.
Despite community efforts to stop the theft, the bars were taken over four separate occasions.
Deputy Minister for Railway Development, Kwaku Asante-Boateng, stated that replacing the stolen bars would cost the government $5 million per kilometer.
The Achimota-Nsawam railway, built over a century ago during colonial rule, had recently undergone renovations before the theft. The incident has brought railway operations along the stretch to a standstill, causing significant inconvenience for commuters.
Authorities are yet to apprehend the perpetrators, while residents continue to demand answers and stronger security measures to prevent further incidents.
