Metal theft from the railway lines is causing the country to lose over of Ghc200 million said Deputy Minister for Railway Development, Kwaku Asante-Boateng.
A situation Mr. Asante-Boateng said is serving as a stumbling block to the development and revamping of the sector.
Meanwhile the deputy minister has assured that steps are being taken in retrieving some of the stolen rail tracks but could not add from who or where, but only indicated that metal theft on the railways is on the rise in Ghana, and delaying the progress on initiatives by the government.
Justifying why he thinks the perpetrators are attracted to the metals, Mr. Asante-Boateng said the metals are of high value, but the activities of these criminals are depleting the finances of the state.
It is believed that the thieves steal the metals under the cover of darkness and sell them as scrap to their potential buyers.
The deputy minister used the opportunity to call on the public and especially, communities closer to the rail tracks to be vigilant, and give information to the Police in order to bring the alleged thieves to justice while saving the country from losing huge sum of monies to their activities.
He said, as the country moves towards the standard gauge lanes for its railway projects, there are still efforts by the ministry to protect old lines.
He stressed that the destruction and stealing of rail tracks pose a threat to the country.
“The tracks belong to the state, and when caught stealing them, you would be arrested, prosecuted and jailed”.
He called for a collaborative effort between the public and the Police “to ensure that those stealing the rail tracks are arrested and prosecuted. This is the only way to stop the menace”.
