Road tolls to return in tech-driven form
Story: SAAKA, Abdulai, Accra
Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced plans to reintroduce road tolls in Ghana through a modern technological platform.
The initiative represents a significant departure from the traditional toll booth system, which was suspended in 2021 by the Akufo-Addo administration.
Road tolls were first introduced in Ghana in the early 1990s as a crucial revenue stream for the construction and maintenance of roads across the country. Over the years, toll booths became a familiar sight on major highways, requiring vehicles to pay fees to access these routes. The tolls played a pivotal role in financing road infrastructure projects, contributing to the nation’s development.
However, in 2021, the government, led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, made the controversial decision to abolish road tolls. The administration argued that the toll system had become inefficient, costly to operate, and yielded minimal revenue compared to the expenses involved. The abolition of tolls was part of a broader budgetary measure and was subsequently replaced with the equally contentious Electronic Levy (E-Levy), which aimed to generate revenue through electronic financial transactions.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Mr. Agbodza criticized the previous administration’s decision, labelling it as an “act of illegality” that contravened existing laws. He underscored the importance of revisiting the toll system, this time leveraging modern technology to enhance efficiency and revenue collection.
“The issue of road tolls has gained nationwide attention,” Mr. Agbodza stated. “We need to approach this matter carefully, ensuring thorough public engagement to consolidate our position before any implementation.”
The reintroduction of tolls will be part of the first budget under President Mahama’s administration, set to be presented by Finance Minister Dr. Casiel Ato Forson. Mr. Agbodza assured that the policy would be detailed in the upcoming budget and would require amendments to the existing law governing toll collections.
“We need to amend the road toll policy,” he explained. “The current law still references toll booths, but our plan is to transition to a non-stop, technology-based system. This necessitates legal amendments to align with our new approach.”
Mr. Agbodza disclosed that simulations and surveys have already been conducted to assess the potential impact of the new system. However, he emphasized the importance of public engagement to finalize details such as toll rates, projected revenue, and the allocation of funds for infrastructure projects.
“Ghanaians must be informed about the intended use of the toll revenue,” he noted. “Transparency is crucial, particularly regarding the costs associated with deploying the new technology platform.” He assured that the costs of implementing the technology would be integrated into the overall plan, highlighting the need to balance service efficiency with cost-effectiveness. This initiative aims to ensure sustainable infrastructure development and efficient resource utilization, marking a new chapter in Ghana’s road management strategy.
