Ghanaian chemical engineer, Dr Thomas Mensah says he could revamp the country’s railway system at the cost of $6billion.
He said he will achieve this by employing high-speed trains known as bullet trains that will link communities in the northern and southern parts of Ghana.
The US National Academy of Inventors fellow told Myjoyonline.com Thursday, he will use a fibre-optic technology to shrink the travel time to 200 miles per hour (mph). The current estimated travel time from Accra to Bolgatanga, the capital of Upper East Region is 11 hours.
His comment came months after the Ghana Railway Development Authority requested $21.5billion to procure new coaches and renovate lines.
A master plan drafted in 2013 to bolster the sector has proposed the construction of 4,007.6 kilometres railway line.
But out of the current 947km track length of railway line in the country, only 130km is operational, providing freight and passenger services.
The Accra to Tema, Accra to Kotoku and Awaso to Dunkwa and Takoradi are the only lines known to be working.
But Dr Mensah believes with $6billion, the railway sector will witness the improvement it needs, which will spur on development.
“We should do the bullet train…steel on steel,” he said, adding the time has come for the government to invest in “proven systems.”
The Ghanaian rehashed a quote from celebrated American broadcaster, Opera Winfrey when he said: “excellence is the antidote of discrimination.”
“I don’t want the buzz words,” he cautioned against the more-talk-less-work mantra of some people.
His meteoric rise as a respected figure in the area of nanotechnology across the world has been the making of hard work and dedication, he said.
“When I get up to speak at MIT [and] all the big universities, my colour goes away,” he said, adding “I am respected just like Bill Gates.”
When he told then US President Barack Obama about bullet trains, China had just one high-speed rail, but now they have 40.
“That means they built four a year [and] Ghana can build a high-speed rail and have it ready in 2020,” he said.
Dr Mensah has designed a smartwatch that changes the channel just by waving it and his works are credited for the penetration of social media.
“When I get up and I put my books down…Nanotechnology…none of the professors have written that book,” he said.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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YOU GUYS TALK BIG. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS BULLET TRAINS? EVEN GREAT BRITAIN DOSENT HAVE BULLET TRAINS.EH! GHANA THEY ASK FOR 6 BILLION AND IT WOULD END UP IN LOOT AND SHARE COMPANY ACCOUNT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
@ Nanai, Yenta obiae and Sarifo! U all actually got traits of Alzheimer’s disease. ***barred word*** as those greedy bastards who have mismanaged Ghana overtime. U're refusing to think beyond what this renowned and distinguished scientist is proposing, to make your life and bufoons like you better. Developed countries policy makers work closely with their scientist, and thus get remarkable results. Can we do same with our own? Is he because he's black and a passionate Ghanaian? If u understand financial and energy matters better go ahead make ur proposals. Check Dr. Mensah's patents and what he's done for the United States and many countries over the years. Open up ur blocked heads and embrace change!
I respect Dr. Mensah but I think he has little understanding of Financial Issues. 1. No one has raised $21.6 Bn 2. If he wants $6bn, he can raise it as he has touted himself as an International Nano Technology Inventor. 3. With all due respect, Dr. Mensah has not quantified anything. Specifically, he has not informed us of the enegry needs and how he will solve it. 4. Bullet Trains are in very few places in the world, he should not pretend that the US has deployed Bullet Trains all over the US. I will advise him to go to Railway Development Office at Roman Ridge, where LOCAL ENGINEERS will provide him with details that what will make him sit and appreciate development of the Rail System. AFter that he will talk and make some sense. Now, it is a lot of HOT AIR
200 Mile per hour for the average local guy who is used to 20mph or less? The train operator should brace himself against a lot of screaming , curses and pee pee all the way. haha
What was the noise at the background that was bad. I think he should be given a different platform the explain himself and tell us more about his achievements.
Ghanafuo di333 u will never know what you have until you loose it....Dr Thomas Mensah is building Silicon Valley of the South in Texas...you think he needs you? He’s only doing the country a favor.
Dr Thomas Mensah is indeed in the early stage of the Alzheimer’s decease. He needs help.
"Ghanaian chemical engineer, Dr Thomas Mensah says he could revamp the country’s railway system at the cost of $6billion." THAT IS A BIG LIE!!!
Please let's give him chance to develop and impart his great knowledge in technology into Ghanaians before he goes into glory,he's aging.We need his brain and knowledge now!
Mr president please give him a chance pleaseee