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Railway ministry averts disaster at Abofu
Following reports by the Ghanaian Times on the defective Achimota-Abofu stretch of the Odaw drain in Accra and its threats to adjoining structures, the Ministry of Railway Development has moved to safeguard rail tracks nearby.
The ministry is constructing a 50-metre retaining wall along the base of the Achimota under bridge to protect that section of the Accra-Nsawan railway from erosion caused by water from the drain.
Water from the dilapidated drain which passes beneath the bridge has veered into the embankment of the railway, eroding it and rendering the transport infrastructure dangerous.
The wall is being erected by the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) with large stones packed into metal mesh. It is also filling the eroded areas with similar stones.
During an inspection of the work yesterday,a Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL), Dr Michael Adjei Anyetei said it would be completed next week.
He explained that the condition of the railway was not because the company did a shoddy job on the railway but as “result of a failed storm drain” adding that the water channel that retains the water should have been extended for free flow.
Beyond the work being done by the ministry, he called on the Ministry of Works and Housing to take immediate steps to address the defects of the bridge to prevent further damage.
“Even if you repair the rail track and the storm drain is not repaired it would be a recurring problem [in the area] and we will have to come and repair it,” Dr Anyetei explained.
Dr Anyetei who is in charge of engineering works, fell short of mentioning the cost of the retaining walls but did not deny that it was an additional cost to the state.
He said other parts of the railway system in Accra which were damaged by recent rains especially that of Tuesday dawn were also being rehabilitated by the company.
On the resumption of railway shuttle services, he said the sector ministry and other stakeholders were deliberating on the way forward because observing social distancing protocols in the trains would be expensive.
He served notice that structures of persons who had encroached areas near the tracks would be demolished soon after ongoing stakeholder consultation was completed.
In July Last year, Ghanaian Times reported that danger was looming at Abofu due to the dilapidated state of drain. The Hydrological Services Department promised to fix it early this year only to defer it to September this year.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
