The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has labelled the accusations leveled against it by the Railway Workers Union of Ghana as one that lacks merit because the workers have not been able to point out any specific act of GRDA which is unlawful.

According to the GRDA, the regulator of Ghana’s railway sector, the Workers only made public their concerns, allegations ad lamentations without proof.

The Railway Workers Union of Ghana on August 11, released a Press statement in which they alleged that the GRDA, treats the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) unfairly, citing instances where the Authority had abused its supervisory powers to the detriment of the GRCL.

“The GRDA has taken undue advantage of this Act and are perpetrating acts that are detrimental to the survival of GRCL. We state below some of the actions that are against the GRCL: (1) Supervising and loading of three (3) trucks load of scraps of rails and sleepers at Kase in the Ashanti Region for sale. (2)A recent directive to take over some Bungalows at Kumasi by 31st August, 2022 in spite of the fact that officials of GRCL and their families occupy such Bungalows.

“(3) Denying the GRCL from collecting rents on the operators who are on railway lands as previously being done by GRCL. (4) Attempting to load and dispose of scraps of rails and sleepers at Kumasi railway station on 9th August, 2022 something the railway workers at Kumasi fiercely resisted and it’s hanging currently, they wrote in their release.

In a rejoinder, the GRDA says it sees the accusations by the Railway Workers Union as unfortunate and disingenuous given that the actions taken by the GRDA are consistent with the law that established the Authority.

“With specific reference to the handling of matters that touch and concern scraps of rails and sleepers in Ashanti Region by GRDA, we state without doubt that none of the referenced activities is in violation of Act 779 or in breach of any of its provisions.

“It must be emphasized that GRDA has objects and functions as by law prescribed and that Act 779 provides adequately for resources to service these objects and functions.  For the avoidance of doubt reference is made to Sections 2(1) and 2(C) of Act 779 thus “Section 2 (1) the objects of the Authority are: 2(C) to exercise ownership rights over assets that are transferred to the Authority from Railway assets. In consequence, it thus lies foul in the mouth of the Railway Workers Union to “cry out loud” that GRDA has taken undue advantage of its Act to injure them,” the Authority wrote.

Below is the full Press Release

UNFAIR TREATMENT OF GHANA RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED (GRCL) BY GHANA RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (GRDA)

Our attention has been drawn to a Press Release issued by the Railway Workers Union of Ghana on 11th August, 2022 under the above stated heading. The referenced Release purports to suggest that GRDA treats GRCL unfairly. It does appear that the said Release is pregnant with concerns, allegations and lamentations without proof.

We state for the avoidance of doubt that GRDA is a creature of an Act of Parliament, thus GRDA does not act arbitrarily but is guided by Ghana Railway Development Authority Act, 2008, Act 779.

In response to the claim by the Railway Workers Union that GRDA has taken undue advantage of Act 779, we say it is rather unfortunate and disingenuous given that all actions taken by GRDA are consistent with the law that established the Authority.

With specific reference to the handling of matters that touch and concern scraps of rails and sleepers in Ashanti Region by GRDA, we state without doubt that none of the referenced activities is in violation of Act 779 or in breach of any of its provisions.

Regarding the issue of duty post bungalows, GRDA discovered that while the affected railway workers assumed duty in Takoradi because of transfer, their families without any justifiable reason continue to live in the referenced bungalows. It was also discovered that some of the occupants have also refused to yield up possession of the said bungalows. 

It must be emphasized that GRDA has objects and functions as by law prescribed and that Act 779 provides adequately for resources to service these objects and functions.  For the avoidance of doubt reference is made to Sections 2(1) and 2(C) of Act 779 thus “Section 2 (1) the objects of the Authority are: 2(C) to exercise ownership rights over assets that are transferred to the Authority from Railway assets. In consequence, it thus lies foul in the mouth of the Railway Workers Union to “cry out loud” that GRDA has taken undue advantage of its Act to injure them.

Responding to the lamentations of the Railway Workers that the company is heavily indebted, we wish to state that this indebtedness is not attributable to GRDA as evidenced in their own Press Release.

In the circumstances, GRDA would like to establish that until the Railway Workers points out any specific act of GRDA which is unlawful, the referenced Press Release is without any merit.

Thank you.

SIGNED

CONSTANT KAFUI KPENDE

AG. BOARD SECRETARY (GRDA)