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Locomotive engine crashes into GOIL fuel tanker at Takoradi
A Ghana Railway Company Limited locomotive engine, on Wednesday morning crashed into a GOIL fuel tanker at the rail crossing, near Takoradi Container Terminal (TACOTEL) on the Sekondi-Takoradi road, in the Western Region.
The incident caused spillage of huge volumes of diesel fuel into the neighbourhood in New Takoradi.
The Crime Officer at the Marine Police in Takoradi, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Solomon Debi, who confirmed the story to the Ghanaian Times, said the driver of the tanker, Mohammed Abubakar, 48, had been arrested.
He, however, said the locomotive driver is being sought to assist police in investigations.
ASP Debi said, “We are investigating the matter. The tanker driver claimed his engine suddenly ceased, that’s why the tanker stopped all of a sudden on the rail line. He said he got down and was stopping the locomotive engine, but, it couldn’t stop.”
Eyewitnesses narrated that the bulk road vehicle with registration number AW 2705-11, loaded with diesel stopped on the rail tracks due to engine failure.
He said the locomotive engine emerged from the Railway headquarters in Takoradi and on getting to the scene could not stop and run into the truck and overturned It.”
Ghanaian Times was told that the automatic signaling system at the level crossing was not functioning at the time of the crash.
The locomotive engine that emerged from the harbour enroute to Kojokrom, crashed and grazed that tanker causing huge damage.
“The driver and the mate of the tanker escaped unhurt while the locomotive engine continued gliding to Kojokrom,” Charles Egyir, an eyewitness recalled.
Another eyewitness recalled, the timely arrival of police crash team and deployment of five fire tenders to the scene prevented what could have become another explosive situation in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, following the Apollo junction gas explosion, some few weeks ago.
He said “they quickly spread the diesel tanker with foam powder to avoid any combustion and explosion and in about two hours the situation had been controlled”.
Meanwhile, the crash team had towed the head of the fuel tanker to allow traffic flow on the Sekondi-Takoradi road.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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There is strength in diversity; let’s live in peace – Zanetor Rawlings urges Ghanaians
Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to value the peace the country enjoys and to see diversity as a source of strength.
Speaking at the National Youth Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre under the theme “Igniting Potential; Inspiring Change”, she warned against being lured into conflicts and divisions fueled by reckless statements from politicians, traditional leaders, religious figures, or academics.
According to her, many young people have no idea what it means to live in a country torn apart by war, and therefore must not take Ghana’s peace for granted.
She stressed that the harmony among different ethnic and regional groups should be protected at all costs, since it is peace that allows citizens to gather freely and safely.
Dr. Zanetor said Ghana’s development depends on embracing diversity and working together.
She urged the youth to tap into this strength so that Ghana would continue to shine as the “Black Star” of Africa and serve as an example for other nations.
She expressed appreciation to the participants for attending the conference and asked for God’s blessings on the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
