NPP Demands Full Disclosure on ‘Margaret Thatcher’ Locomotives

The Minority Transport Policy Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the government to provide full disclosure on the acquisition of two refurbished diesel locomotives and 20 freight wagons, questioning the age, cost and long-term viability of the rolling stock.

In a statement issued on June 25, the Committee said the locomotives are refurbished British Rail Class 56 units originally manufactured in the United Kingdom between 1976 and 1983.

The party described the acquisition as a positive step for the country’s rail sector but argued that the government had failed to provide sufficient information for Ghanaians to assess whether the investment offered value for money.

The Committee noted that most Class 56 locomotives had been retired from active service internationally, raising concerns about the availability of spare parts and the long-term cost of maintaining the fleet.

It urged the government to disclose whether long-term maintenance agreements had been secured, whether technical support arrangements were in place and what training had been provided to Ghanaian engineers to service the locomotives.

“The acquisition of refurbished Margaret Thatcher era locomotives should not be presented merely as a symbolic achievement,” the statement said . “Ghanaians deserve full disclosure regarding the age, cost and condition of the equipment, maintenance arrangements, spare parts availability and the government’s broader railway strategy”.

The Committee contrasted the acquisition with diesel multiple units procured under the previous NPP administration from Polish manufacturer PESA, which it said included a five-year maintenance arrangement and technology transfer for local engineers.

It further questioned whether the Tema-Mpakadan railway corridor had the necessary cargo-handling infrastructure to support freight operations and whether a demand assessment had been undertaken before the purchase.

The party also raised concerns about funding for the wider railway sector, noting that about GH¢70 million had been allocated to rail infrastructure in the 2026 budget despite government commitments to complete the Western Railway Line for mineral transport.

While reiterating support for genuine efforts to modernise the railway sector, the Committee insisted that transparency, sustainability and commercial viability must guide all procurement decisions.