President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has unveiled a plaque for commencement of construction work on the Volta Rail Bridge at Ogoli, near Juapong in the North Tongu District of the Volta region.
The rail bridge is part of the Tema-Mpakadan railway under the Ghana-Burkina inter connectivity railways project.
It is being constructed by Afcons Infrastructure limited, an Indian Company and would pass through the Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Oti and Northern regions.
President Akufo-Addo commended Afcons for committing to complete the project by August 2020, a year ahead of schedule and said the project would bring economic development to the regions and make Juapong an important railway town.
He said the project would also transform transportation in the Volta region and afford the country the opportunity to explore iron ore deposits.
The President expressed gratitude to the government of India for the assistance, saying, "the future is bright".
Mr Joe Ghartey, Minister for Railways Development said the entry of public railway into Volta region and the construction of a rail bridge over River Volta would unleash the economic fortunes of the region.
He said the Ministry had received proposals for a Volta Rail City project and said it would open up Juapong and the Volta region.
Togbe Mankrado Agbohla VI, Paramount Chief of Dorfor congratulated President Akufo-Addo and his government for the project and other social interventions like free Senior High School and planting for food and jobs, which he said were making positive impact on society.
He appealed to the President to revamp the Volta Star Textiles at Juapong and fix roads in the District to create jobs and grow the local economy.