The Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi has blamed the lack of communication between the two trains that crashed at Tarkwa Huni Valley on Thursday.
Seven people died while 25 others were seriously injured in the crash.
The dead included a pregnant mother, while the police suspected the death toll could be higher.
Eye-witnesses account at the accident scene indicated that a Takoradi-bound goods train carrying bauxite and another from the opposite direction crashed into each other when the former derailed.
In an interview with Adom FM Friday morning, the sector minister said information is usually passed on between two points on a particular rail line to alert the commuting trains when necessary.
Prof. Ameyaw Ekumfi said, this basic requirement was flouted yesterday because “someone did not do his work” resulting in the deadly crash.
According to the sector minister, anytime the point-to-point information system breaks down, the workers rely on mobile phones to communicate. Unfortunately, he said, some of the workers sometimes leave their mobile phones elsewhere or allow the battery to run down making it impossible to reach them.
Professor Ekumfi conceded that the communication gadgets currently being used by the Ghana Railway Company are outmoded, but added that people have also been stealing the company’s cables.
He said investigations into the unfortunate accident had started. He was expected to visit some of the victims’ families.
Listen to Midday News
Author: Yaa Serwah Ampaafo Brakatu (Adom FM)
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Mahama thanks Eastern Region, unveils bold infrastructure plan
36 minutes -
NPP will not release 2024 Election Report – Oppong Nkrumah
42 minutes -
GUTA threatens mass protest over foreign intrusion in retail sector
1 hour -
Defence Minister announces $1bn retooling for Ghana Armed Forces
1 hour -
Togbe Afede reaffirms support for youth innovation at 2025 Asogli Forum
1 hour -
Political chess masters: 11 multiparty Ghanaian families playing all sides
1 hour -
Defence Minister assures fair and transparent GAF recruitment
2 hours -
Ghana Medical Relief to provide free medical care to 10,000 residents of Berekum
2 hours -
Trump threatens to block stadium build over name
2 hours -
Car maker Stellantis says US tariffs have cost it €300m
2 hours -
Taylor Swift and Drake music giant files to list on US stock market
2 hours -
‘We are not just looking for a flagbearer, we want a presidential candidate’ – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
3 hours -
Court denies bail to nine suspects in Nkwanta riots case
3 hours -
Libyan ICC war crimes suspect arrested in Germany
3 hours -
PURC recovers GH¢4m for ECG in first half of 2025
3 hours