Railway Workers Union commends government for clearing 20 months’ salary arrears

The Railway Workers Union of Ghana (RWU) has commended the government for settling 20 months of outstanding salary arrears owed workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL).

The Union said the arrears, covering October 2024 to May 2026, were fully paid on August 24, 2026.

Speaking at a press conference at the Kojokrom Railway Station in Sekondi-Takoradi, General Secretary of the RWU, Benjamin Essuman, described the payment as a major relief for affected workers and their families, who had endured prolonged financial difficulties.

“The Union considers this development a significant relief to the affected workers and their families, who have endured considerable financial hardship, uncertainty and anxiety over the prolonged period without their full salaries,” he said.

The RWU expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and other stakeholders whose interventions contributed to resolving the outstanding salary payments.

According to the Union, the payment goes beyond settling a financial obligation, as it restores hope and dignity to workers who had faced considerable uncertainty over their livelihoods.

“The payment of the salary arrears means much more than a financial transaction to the affected workers. It represents hope, dignity, relief and renewed confidence that the concerns of railway workers can receive the attention they deserve,” the RWU stated.

The Union also recognised the roles played by the Vice President, Chief of Staff, Ministers for Transport and Labour, Jobs and Employment, the Ministry of Finance, leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), National Labour Commission, Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and other stakeholders.

RWU demands severance payments
Despite the settlement of the salary arrears, the RWU has appealed to President Mahama to facilitate the conclusion of negotiations on severance packages for affected GRCL workers and ensure their prompt payment.

The Union said the workers had served the country and the railway industry under challenging conditions and therefore deserved to have their outstanding entitlements settled without further delay.

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

It expressed confidence that the President would intervene to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Call for Takoradi-Nsuta railway extension

The RWU has also appealed to the government to expedite the completion of the additional 20-kilometre section of the Western Railway Line from Takoradi to Nsuta.

The Union wants the project completed and commissioned by the end of 2027, describing the railway extension as critical to Ghana’s economic development.

“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,” it said.

According to the Union, completing the line would improve the railway sector’s capacity to transport manganese and other minerals, boost internally generated revenue and create direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly for young people.

It further noted that moving heavy minerals by rail would reduce pressure on Ghana’s road network and help lower expenditure on road maintenance.

“For these reasons, the Railway Workers Union considers the completion of this additional 20km railway section not merely as an infrastructure project, but as an important economic, employment, revenue-generation and national development initiative,” the statement said.

Railways can support job creation
The Union also urged the government to sustain investments in the railway sector as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and expand economic opportunities.

It said a stronger railway industry could generate employment in passenger services, mineral haulage, freight operations, maintenance, engineering and logistics.

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

The Union reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to promote industrial peace, protect workers’ interests and support the development of Ghana’s railway sector.

It said it remained hopeful that the government would favourably consider its outstanding appeals for the payment of severance packages and the accelerated completion of the Takoradi-Nsuta railway extension.