Former President John Mahama has expressed grave concerns over railway safety protocols following a recent accident on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line.
The incident, which involved a new train from Poland during a test run, occurred after a collision with a Hyundai truck left abandoned on the tracks.
The accident, which took place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, has led to the arrest and subsequent six-month imprisonment of the truck driver, Abel Dzidoto, by the Juapong Circuit Court.
In a brief reaction to the development, posted on X, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer questioned the adequacy of pre-operational checks and sought answers on the procedures preceding the test ride.
Mahama emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation to uncover the reasons behind the apparent lack of due diligence in the railway safety protocols.
“How can you conduct a test run on a new railway line without a track inspection? How long had the vehicle been on the track before the test run? If I were President, I’ll be asking some serious questions,” he stated.
The former President’s comments have sparked a conversation about the importance of stringent safety checks and the need for accountability in the operation of the nation’s railway systems.
Video footage captured from the onboard camera of the DMU train traversing the Tema-Mpakadan railway line#tigpost #Climate4Peace | Bolgatanga | Madrid | #YoungandmaturedAK | Abena Korkor | Elon | Lunin | Arsenal pic.twitter.com/MeDoNAWo0q
— TIG Post (@tigpost_) April 19, 2024