Road Tolls Set to Return – Ato Forson
Finance Minister-designate affirms NDC’s commitment to reintroduce tolls as a vital revenue source for road maintenance and infrastructure development
- Dr. Ato Forson reaffirms the NDC’s plan to reinstate road tolls for road maintenance funding
- The NDC emphasizes its consistency in supporting road toll collection as a reliable revenue source
- Ato Forson stresses that road tolls are a global practice and essential for maintaining Ghana's road infrastructure
Finance Minister-designate Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has pledged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will reintroduce road tolls to generate funds for road maintenance. During his vetting on January 13, 2025, before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Dr. Forson reiterated the NDC’s long-standing commitment to road toll collection.
Although no exact timeline was provided, the Ajumako Enyan Essiam MP affirmed that the NDC is determined to reinstate tolls as a means to raise revenue for road upkeep. He noted that while the NPP had submitted a concession agreement for the reintroduction of road tolls, it was never laid before Parliament.
“We stand by this promise,” Dr. Forson said, referencing the NDC’s consistent stance on road tolls, which was echoed by Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu. “If road tolls are necessary for generating revenue, we will implement them.”
He further explained that road tolls are a globally accepted method for funding road maintenance. “Ghana is not the first nor the last to adopt this practice,” he added, emphasizing the importance of ensuring efficient toll collection and directing all revenue toward maintaining the country’s road infrastructure.
Road tolls were suspended in November 2021, following a directive from former Roads and Highways Minister Kwasi Amoako-Atta, shortly after former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced their abolition. However, the NPP government had planned to reintroduce the tolls in 2025, contingent on their victory in the 2024 elections.
