Roads Minister Advocates for the Reintroduction of Road Tolls to Fund Maintenance Efforts
- Francis Asenso-Boakye emphasizes the necessity of reintroducing road tolls
- The suspension of road tolls in 2021 prompts debates about its impact on road maintenance
- Ken Ofori-Atta announced intentions to reintroduce tolls on selected roads
In a recent assessment tour of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Roads and Highways Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye reiterated the importance of reintroducing road tolls, stating, “I have never seen any serious country where they don’t toll their road.”
This statement underscores the Minister’s belief that toll collection is essential for financing road maintenance—a sentiment echoed by various stakeholders.
The decision to suspend road tolls in 2021 has sparked debates about its impact on road maintenance, with concerns mounting over the deteriorating state of Ghana’s road network. The scrapping of toll collection was initially aimed at easing traffic congestion and transitioning to the e-levy system. However, the e-levy has failed to generate sufficient funds, prompting discussions about reinstating road tolls.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced plans to reintroduce tolls on selected roads through public-private partnerships, with the aim of financing maintenance efforts. The proposal has garnered support from political figures like Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who sees tolling as a means to fund road construction by involving the private sector.
Despite the push for toll reintroduction, concerns remain about its impact on those who lost their jobs when toll collection ceased in 2021. Former toll booth workers like William highlight the financial hardships they’ve faced, calling on the government to fulfill promises of compensating them for lost wages.
Amidst these debates, motorists emphasize the importance of ensuring that toll revenues are transparently used for road projects. They support the reintroduction of tolls but seek assurances that funds will be dedicated solely to road maintenance and infrastructure development.
The state of Ghana’s road network is critical for socio-economic development, with citizens across the country experiencing disruptions due to poor road conditions. As discussions continue, there is a growing consensus on the need for sustainable funding mechanisms to address the challenges facing Ghana’s road infrastructure.
