Parliamentarians on the Select Committee on Roads and Transport have expressed significant disappointment with Amandi Construction over substantial delays in completing key sections of the Western Railway Line project. The concerns were raised during a two-day inspection tour in the Western Region, where lawmakers found parts of the Kojokrom–Manso stretch, awarded in 2018 and due for completion in 2022, to be abandoned despite significant government payments. The committee is awaiting a detailed report from the project’s consultant to inform further action.
Project Status and Committee Observations
The inspection focused on the 22-kilometre Kojokrom–Manso railway line. While the contractor, Amandi Construction, claims the project is approximately 93 percent complete, committee members observed abandoned sections and visible deterioration of some structures on site. This physical evidence contradicts the reported progress and has fueled the committee’s frustration.
Isaac Adjei Mensah, Chairman of the Select Committee, voiced his dismay at the current state of affairs. He noted that the contractor appears to have vacated the site, leading to the observed deterioration. This situation is particularly concerning given the substantial financial commitments made by the government towards the project.
Contractor’s Multiple Projects and Payment Concerns
Mr. Adjei Mensah highlighted that Amandi Construction is concurrently managing three different rail projects in the same region. He stated that the contractor’s primary excuse for delays has been non-payment by the government. However, the committee questions this narrative, especially since substantial payments have already been disbursed.
The chairman raised a critical question regarding the contractor’s strategy: why has the Kojokrom–Manso line not been completed before commencing or focusing on other projects? He emphasized that the completion of this particular stretch would have allowed the committee to utilize the train for their inspection, rather than relying on the road network.
Concerns Over Project Management and Station Siting
Andrew Dari Chiwitey, Vice Chairman of the committee and MP for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, echoed the sentiment of disappointment regarding the project’s pace. He expressed suspicion that Amandi Construction might be employing delay tactics to secure more contracts while keeping the government and public waiting on existing ones.
Mr. Chiwitey suggested a pattern where the contractor initiates multiple projects but struggles to bring any to full completion before moving to new ventures. He also pointed out issues with the strategic placement of railway stations. Several stations have been located in isolated areas, far from communities, raising concerns about accessibility and potential low patronage.
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