The Ghanaian inventor who has been pushing for the transformational speed rail system in Ghana says the government has bought into his idea, specifying progressive steps that have been taken to make the project a reality.
Dr Thomas Mensah has revealed 45 contractors that presented tenders to take up the project have been pruned to ten and a May 9, 2018 deadline set for the shortlisted contractors to present final quotes.
“We made a lot of progress. Right now, Joy Ghartey, the Minister of Railways Development, has his team with full hands on deck, moving forward with the high-speed rail project,” he revealed on Wednesday on current affairs programme, Upfront.
He told show host, Malik Abass Daabu, that a 2021 deadline to the completion of two important phases of the project looks achievable because of the commitment the current administration has shown in the project.
“Investing in high-speed rails will transform Ghana from an underdeveloped country to a developed country,” he said.
He said the trains, which will run on diesel and not electricity will bring investment and accelerate growth exponentially.
Different era
Dr Thomas Mensah, a Chemical Engineer, whose Fibre Optic invention revolutionised the internet, is confident that unlike in the past where the life of ambitious projects has been cut short by lack of political will and funds, the high-speed coaches will be rolled out to the admiration to the world.
“This is different because this time you have an alignment: you have a President that is very serious about infrastructure development; you have a President that says ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’, that is his mantra.
“In his 7-year development plan, he mentions infrastructure, he mentions creating jobs. He is serious…and luckily the Minister of Railways is doing a great job now – working, listening to advice, working hard to make sure that the transportation infrastructure, which is the first step if you are climbing the ladder [to development],” he said.
He said the Chinese, whose investment will fund a huge chunk of the project, are convinced about the viability of the project and have a proven track record of a similar project in Africa, citing Kenya’s speed rail system
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