Kwame Governs Agbodza Criticizes Road Toll Abolition, Hints at Reintroduction
Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, has strongly condemned the previous government’s decision to abolish road tolls, calling the move an “illegal act.” During his vetting in Parliament on Monday, January 20, he elaborated on the financial and legal implications of the controversial policy, while hinting at the reintroduction of tolls to bolster national revenue for road infrastructure development.
Background of Road Toll Abolition
The removal of road tolls by the former government, spearheaded by then-Minister of Roads and Highways Kwasi Amoako-Attah, faced widespread criticism. Agbodza revealed that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the Roads and Transport Committee of Parliament had warned against the decision before it was implemented. Their concerns about its adverse financial effects were ignored, leading to what he described as a hasty and poorly-considered policy shift.
Financial Repercussions
Agbodza highlighted the economic blow caused by the abolition of tolls, emphasizing how road tolls historically contributed significantly to the Road Fund. The Road Fund is a crucial source of financing for maintaining and expanding Ghana’s road infrastructure.
“It is a matter of national interest. Accrual to the Road Fund was only GH¢250 million, and we worked to increase it to GH¢1.5 billion. Today, it is over GH¢2 billion. We cautioned the government against cancelling the tolls, but they ignored the warnings. The decision was an act of illegality,” he stated.
The abolition of road tolls, Agbodza explained, disrupted a stable revenue stream needed to address Ghana’s growing infrastructure deficit.
Road Toll Reintroduction
When questioned about the way forward, Agbodza assured the Parliamentary committee and Ghanaians that road tolls would be reintroduced under his leadership.
“We will restore road tolls. It is essential to enhance revenue generation and guarantee the sustainability of road infrastructure projects. Without sustainable funding, we cannot achieve the quality road network Ghanaians deserve,” he noted.
The Minister-Designate emphasized the importance of balancing affordability with revenue generation, assuring citizens that the reintroduced toll system would be efficient, transparent, and accountable.
Public Reaction and Future Plans
The proposed reintroduction of road tolls has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders. While some applaud the move as necessary to finance road projects, others call for innovative funding models to reduce the financial burden on citizens.
Agbodza’s commitment to reintroducing road tolls reflects a broader vision for enhancing Ghana’s infrastructure development. If approved as Minister for Roads and Highways, he aims to prioritize long-term, sustainable strategies that ensure efficient road management while addressing the country’s pressing infrastructure needs.