Western Region Leaders Sound Alarm Over Crumbling Railways at Development Retreat

The three-day retreat, spearheaded by the Western Regional Minister and Coordinating Council (WRCC), convened a critical assembly of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and heads of regional departments. Their collective mission: to forge solutions to the region's pressing challenges.

Nelson's Dire Warning: Livelihoods at Stake

Minister Nelson placed the dilapidated railway system squarely at the heart of the region's struggles. He articulated a clear and urgent message: the crumbling Western rail lines and the persistent difficulties in advancing rail infrastructure development pose a severe dual threat.

"The current state of our railways is not just a transportation issue," Nelson asserted. "It undermines the very backbone of our regional connectivity and, more critically, hinders community development across the Western Region. Ultimately, this neglect is depriving our residents of vital economic opportunities and livelihoods."

His statement framed the railway crisis as a fundamental barrier to progress, affecting everything from the movement of goods and people to the economic vitality of communities reliant on the rail network.

Chiefs Question National Priorities: "Boankra vs. Western Lines"

Echoing and amplifying the Minister's concerns, the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobbina Nketsia V, delivered a pointed critique of the national infrastructure strategy. He directly challenged the logic behind prioritizing the extension of rail lines to the Boankra Inland Port in the Ashanti Region while allowing the existing rail arteries within the Western Region to deteriorate.

"The question we must ask," Nana Nketsia V stated, "is where does the national interest truly lie? How can we justify investing heavily in extending lines to a new port like Boankra, while the established and crucial rail infrastructure serving the Western Region – a key economic zone – is left to rot? This disconnect in priorities needs urgent explanation and rectification."

His intervention highlighted a perceived regional inequity in infrastructure investment, suggesting that the Western Region's critical contribution to the national economy, particularly through resources and ports, was being undermined by the neglect of its transport lifelines.

Broader Retreat Focus: Peace and Progressives

While the railway crisis took center stage, Minister Nelson also addressed another key prerequisite for development: peace. Speaking on overall regional progress, he called upon the gathered chiefs to intensify efforts towards the swift resolution of lingering chieftaincy disputes.

"We cannot overstate the importance of peace," Nelson emphasized. "A stable and harmonious region is the absolute foundation upon which all other development efforts rest. I urge our revered chiefs to prioritize and expedite the resolution of these conflicts for the collective good of our people."

A Unified Call for Action

The 3-day retreat served as a vital platform for cross-sectoral dialogue on the Western Region's future. However, the resounding message emerging was the critical need to address the railway infrastructure emergency. The combined voices of the Regional Minister and the traditional leadership underscored a unified regional concern: the decrepit state of the Western rail lines is not merely an inconvenience but an active impediment to economic growth, community well-being, and the livelihoods of residents, demanding immediate national attention and a re-evaluation of investment priorities. The challenge laid down regarding Boankra versus Western lines signals a strong demand for equity and recognition of the region's strategic importance.

Source: Nana Esi Brew Monney

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