Ghana’s new Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, announced that his ministry is working to reinstate road tolls, citing the common practice in many countries of toll revenues being used to fund road maintenance.
The decision by the former Minister Amoako Atta-led government to suspend road tolls has raised various concerns and opinions, especially on the impact on the maintenance of the country’s road network, which is currently in a state of serious disrepair.
Previously, road toll collections were used to fund road maintenance activities.
However, the Ministry of Roads hastily issued an order to suspend toll collection nationwide effective November 18, 2021.
The decision to abolish toll collection was initially made to ease traffic congestion at toll booths and in anticipation of the introduction of electronic taxation.
However, the e-levy has not generated the expected funds since it was enacted, creating the need to reintroduce road tolls, and it appears the government miscalculated.
In an interview with TV3 on Monday, June 10, Senator Bantama stressed the need for road tolling, stressing that he has never seen a fully fledged country that does not impose road tolls.
“In many countries, the tolls collected from roads are used to fund maintenance. So, our ministry has begun the process of engaging with various stakeholders to get their consent to reinstate road tolls. This is very important. I have not seen any serious country that does not collect road tolls,” he said.
Disclaimer: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by readers and contributors on this platform do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Multimedia Group Limited.