Roads and Highways Minister-designate, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced plans to reintroduce road tolling in Ghana, but with a modern twist that eliminates physical toll booths.
During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, Mr. Agbodza outlined a plan to reinstate tolls using advanced technology.
“We are bringing tolling of public roads back. However, we are not bringing toll booths back,” Agbodza explained. “The system will be deployed on a digital platform, meaning drivers will no longer need to stop and pay at physical booths.”
Again, Mr. Agbodza criticised the Akufo-Addo administration for abolishing road tolls, calling the decision “illegal” and a setback to Ghana’s infrastructure funding.
“We decided to caution the government not to cancel road tolls but rather to find a way to make them better,” Agbodza stated.
He argued that reforming the toll system to minimise inefficiencies and boost revenue would have been a more effective approach than outright cancellation.
Mr Agbodza emphasised that the tolling system is legally mandated and serves as a vital funding source for road infrastructure projects.
He also dismissed government claims that tolls generated only GH¢80 million annually, suggesting the figure was understated and failed to capture the system’s potential.
The Minister-designate expressed concern over the financial challenges faced by road contractors, revealing that some are owed as little as GH¢5,000 due to the funding gap created by the cancellation.
“The cancellation of the toll system has left road contractors in a difficult position, and it’s evident that the government needs to reassess its approach to funding road development,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the impact on persons with disabilities (PWDs), Agbodza assured that his team would re-engage stakeholders to address their needs under the new system.
He concluded by emphasising that the revamped tolling framework would ensure fairness, enhance convenience for road users, and provide sustainable funding for Ghana’s road infrastructure while avoiding past inefficiencies.