Reports of theft of steel sleepers and rails that were allegedly taken from the Ghana Railway Development Authority have been denied by the ministry responsible for railways development.

Two suspects were detained amid claims that the items were being taken unlawfully after they were seen transporting them in a viral video.

According to the suspects, the Ministry of Railway Development had hired their company to transfer the goods to Tema.

In a press statement, the Ministry acknowledged that it did indeed hire Messrs Xingrui International Development Limited to transport the steel sleepers and rail rails.

The #railway in Ghana pic.twitter.com/FUOAOAxFAn— GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) May 1, 2023

The Ministry stated that the vehicle seen in the viral video was authorised by the Ministry and not carrying stolen items.

Additionally, the Ministry said it had informed the Ghana Police Service that only Messrs Xingrui International Development Limited has been authorised to remove abandoned railway tracks and steel sleepers along specific rights-of-way, and any other person found removing or transporting rail tracks will be dealt with accordingly.

“Thus, the vehicle seen in the viral video transporting some of the rail tracks harvested by Messrs Xingrui International Development Limited, was authorized by the Ministry and not stolen item,” the statement said.

“Further, we wish to kindly state that, the Ministry duly informed the Ghana Police Service that apart from Messrs Xingrui International Development Limited who has been authorized to harvest or remove abandoned railway tracks and steel sleepers along right-of-ways from Mempeasem to Mrayem on the Western Line, and from Nnadieso to Juaso on the Eastern Line any other person(s) found removing or transporting rail tracks must be arrested and dealt with accordingly.

“We further wish to conclude that, Messrs Xingrui International Development Limited, is not undertaking the harvesting and transporting of the rail tracks illegally as being purported in the video under reference, but are working under the directives of the Ministry”.