Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, has condemned the previous administration’s decision to abolish road tolls, calling it an illegal act with significant financial consequences for Ghana’s infrastructure development.
During his vetting in Parliament on Monday, January 20, Agbodza criticised the move made by the former Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, despite warnings from stakeholders and the Roads and Transport Committee of Parliament, particularly its National Democratic Congress (NDC) members.
“We cautioned the government against cancelling the road tolls, yet they went ahead. It was an act of illegality, and the financial repercussions have been immense,” Agbodza stated.
Impact of Scrapping Road Tolls
Agbodza highlighted that road tolls were a critical revenue source for Ghana’s Road Fund, which supports the maintenance and expansion of the country’s road network. He noted that under the NDC, the fund’s accruals increased from GH¢250 million to over GH¢1.5 billion, but the decision to abolish tolls significantly impacted its growth.
“The Road Fund is now generating over GH¢2 billion, but the removal of tolls undermined a consistent and reliable revenue stream for road infrastructure development.”
Plans to Restore Tolls
The Minister-Designate assured the vetting committee that road tolls would be reintroduced under his leadership, emphasizing their importance in enhancing revenue collection and supporting sustainable infrastructure projects.
“Restoring road tolls is non-negotiable. It is necessary for boosting revenue and ensuring the sustainability of our road infrastructure,” he declared.
Agbodza’s stance aligns with the NDC’s broader strategy to restore policies that promote fiscal responsibility and infrastructure development.
