Twenty- five companies globally have expressed interest to build the railway to connect Ghana and Burkina Faso after the close of the international competitive tender for potential contractors submitted bids.

The companies included; Power China Sino Hydro, M and J group, Frontline Capital Advisors, African Global Development, Geo Service Limited, Jet Contractors and Geo Service Limited.

A joint committee from both countries, would from Tuesday, May 29, commence the evaluation processes to select the most suitable company for the project.

Mr Joe Ghartey, Minister of Railway Development speaking at a short ceremony to ascertain the number of companies who have submitted their bids to the committee said the many companies who had expressed interest would make the process competitive as desired by both countries.

He said the joint project marked a new era, bringing African countries to gather to undertake projects that would help develop the sub-region.

The Minister said the proposed rail network was expected to pass through the Eastern Corridor of Ghana starting from the Tema Port, through Akosombo, Ho, Hohoe, Yendi, Tamale and to Paga.

Mr Ghartey noted that the line would continue in Burkina Faso from Dakola going through Po along the national highway number five, integrating the pole of growth of Bagre and ends at Ouagadougou.

Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi, Deputy Minister of Railways Development explained that the project was expected to be undertaken through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the intention to reduce the time and resources people spent transacting business between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

He noted that the two governments had agreed that the project would be financed on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

Mr Stephane Ouedrago, Special Counselor, Economic and Finance of Burkina Faso said the decision to forge an alliance with Ghana to build the rail was important to the people of Burkina due to its many benefits in the area of economic and transportation.