Railway Workers Union Commends Government Over Payment of 20-Month Salary Arrears

The payment, completed in late August 2026, covered outstanding salaries from October 2024 to May 2026. It has brought significant financial and emotional relief to workers and their families, many of whom endured considerable hardship during the prolonged period without regular income.

In a statement, the General Secretary of the RWU, Benjamin Essuman, said the settlement had restored dignity, hope and confidence among railway workers.

The union acknowledged the roles played by the Presidency, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Railway Development Authority, the Trades Union Congress and the National Labor Commission in resolving the salary crisis.

According to the RWU, their interventions demonstrated the importance of cooperation among state institutions, labor organizations and other stakeholders in addressing challenges confronting public-sector workers.

Despite welcoming the payment, the union appealed to the government to expedite ongoing negotiations concerning severance packages for affected GRCL employees. It urged the authorities to conclude the process promptly and ensure that eligible workers receive the compensation due to them.

The RWU also called for the accelerated completion of the additional 20-kilometre railway section between Takoradi and Nsuta.

The union described the route as essential to the transportation of minerals, particularly manganese, and said its completion could strengthen GRCL’s ability to generate revenue internally. The project is also expected to create employment opportunities for people living in communities along the railway corridor.

Beyond the immediate concerns of workers, the RWU stressed the need for sustained capital investment in Ghana’s railway infrastructure.

It argued that a modern and reliable railway network could support youth employment, improve the movement of goods and strengthen the country’s freight logistics system. Expanded railway services could also reduce the number of heavy-duty vehicles using national highways, helping to ease congestion and minimize damage to roads.

The union reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government and relevant institutions to revive Ghana’s railway sector and secure a more sustainable future for railway workers.