Finance Minister-designate, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has disclosed that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will introduce road tolls to generate revenue for road maintenance.
Dr. Forson gave this assurance when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, 2025, for his vetting.
According to him, the NDC has always supported road toll collection.
He further explained that while the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government abolished road tolls in 2021, it had signalled plans to reintroduce them before leaving office, but that became unrealistic.
“The NPP submitted a concession agreement to Parliament to reintroduce road tolls, but it was not laid,” he said.
Dr. Forson emphasised that the NDC has been consistent about its intention to reinstate the tolls.
He cited statements from former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, who assured that the NDC would bring back road tolls when given the power to lead the nation in 2025.
“We are not running away from this promise. We are a party that honours its commitments, and if road tolls are a means to raise revenue, we will implement them,” he assured.
Dr. Forson further argued that road toll collection is a globally accepted practice and a vital source of funding for road maintenance.
“If you use the road, you pay a toll. It is a standard practice worldwide. Ghana will not be the first or last country to adopt this,” he explained.
He added that the focus would be on ensuring efficient and effective toll collection, with all revenues directed towards maintaining the country’s road infrastructure.
It will be recalled that the NPP government scrapped all tolls on public roads in the 2022 Budget and Economic Policy presented to parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.
The booths have since been non-functional.