The Railway Workers Union of Ghana (RWU) has expressed appreciation to the government for paying 20 months’ salary arrears owed to workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL).

The arrears covered the period from October 2024 to May 2026 and had been paid as of August 24, 2026, according to the Union.

The RWU, under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said the payment had brought relief to affected workers and their families after a prolonged period without their full salaries.

The Union expressed particular appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and other stakeholders who contributed to resolving the matter.

It also thanked the Vice President, Chief of Staff, National Chairman of the NDC, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Labour Minister Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, the National Labour Commission and the leadership of the TUC.

The Union, however, made two further appeals to the President.

Union appeals for severance packages

The RWU appealed to President Mahama to support the conclusion of negotiations on the severance packages of affected GRCL workers and ensure their prompt payment.

“We believe that the payment of the outstanding salary arrears has created an important foundation for bringing GRCL workers’ broader situation to a satisfactory level,” the Union said.

It added: “We therefore respectfully appeal that the negotiations on their severance packages be concluded without further unnecessary delay, followed by prompt payment.”

Call for completion of Takoradi-Nsuta railway line

The Union also appealed to the President to support efforts to accelerate the completion of the additional 20-kilometre section of the Western Railway Line from Takoradi to Nsuta.

“It is our humble expectation and aspiration that this important section of the railway line will be completed and commissioned by the end of 2027, before the end of His Excellency's current term of office,” the Union said.

According to the RWU, completing the section would strengthen the railway’s capacity to transport manganese and other minerals, increase revenue, create employment and support economic activity.

The Union also said greater reliance on rail for transporting heavy minerals would reduce pressure on Ghana’s roads and lower public expenditure on road repairs and maintenance.

It described the project as “not merely as an infrastructure project, but as an important economic, employment, revenue-generation and national development initiative.”

The RWU further appealed for continued support for initiatives that would expand railway operations and create employment opportunities for young people.

“Ghana's young people need meaningful employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods,” the Union said.

The Union said it remained hopeful that its two appeals would receive the President’s support and that it was ready to continue working with government and other stakeholders to promote industrial peace and the development of Ghana’s railway sector.