Road tolls
Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister of Roads-designate, revealed plans to reintroduce road tolls in Ghana. This decision comes as part of an effort to enhance revenue for the road sector, which has faced challenges in funding and maintenance.
Agbodza emphasized the importance of road tolls, noting that they had previously generated significant income. He mentioned that the former system, which was abolished in November 2021 by the previous administration, was not managed effectively. He pointed out that while tolls were expected to yield around GH¢8 million, there were outstanding payments owed to contractors, illustrating a disconnect in revenue management.
The Minister assured the public that the new toll system would be significantly different from the past. Instead of manual collection, which often led to congestion and inefficiency, the upcoming tolls will rely on advanced technology. Agbodza stated, “Road tolls are coming back, but not in the form of building obstructions on the road and having someone manually collect money.” This approach aims to make the toll collection process more transparent and accountable.
The new technological platform will facilitate easier payments and ensure that funds are properly tracked. Agbodza stressed that it is crucial for the public to understand how toll revenues are being utilized. He promised that a clear policy would be established to guide the implementation of this new system.
