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Kumasi drivers welcome reintroduction of toll; charge govt to utilise funds efficiently
Kumasi drivers welcome reintroduction of toll; charge govt to utilise funds efficiently
By: Abigail | 3 mins read
Drivers in parts of the Ashanti Region in Ghana have expressed support for the government's decision to reintroduce road tolls, as announced by the Finance Minister-Designate following the scrapping of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy).
Before the abolition of road tolls in November 2021 by the previous administration, vehicles were charged between GHS1.00 and GHS2.00 per toll booth, while larger vehicles, such as trucks and buses, paid higher rates.
During a media engagement on January 15, several drivers shared their excitement over the reintroduction of the tolls but urged the government to ensure the funds are used for their intended purpose—road development. They expressed hope that the revenue generated would contribute to fixing the poor state of many roads in the region.
“Reintroducing road tolls would be a great idea. Taxes are essential for every country’s development, and I fully support it. However, I urge the government to closely monitor those managing the funds to ensure they are used effectively for the benefit of all citizens,” a driver remarked.
Another driver echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for proper fund utilization. “Reintroducing tolls is a good idea if the funds are properly managed. Our roads are in terrible condition. For instance, a journey from Kumasi to Juaboso, which should take three hours, now takes five due to poor roads,” he added.
Some drivers also highlighted the fairness of charging foreign nationals who use Ghana’s roads. “The return of toll payment will rightfully charge Malians, Nigeriens, and other foreign nationals who ply Ghanaian roads,” a driver noted.
Others stressed the global norm of toll payments, comparing Ghana to other countries in the region. “We support the reintroduction of tolls because every country is funded by taxes. When we travel to Mali, Burkina Faso, and even Niger, we pay tolls. We should contribute here as well to help develop our country,” another driver added.
While many drivers welcomed the tolls, some expressed concern over fuel prices and called on the government to address the issue. “We are ready to pay the tolls, but the government should work on reducing fuel prices, as that remains a major concern for us. The tolls will also benefit hawkers who sell along the roads,” a driver pointed out.
The initial abolition of road tolls by the previous government was met with mixed reactions. Critics argued it led to significant revenue losses for road maintenance, job losses for toll collectors, policy inconsistencies, and the absence of viable alternative revenue sources to replace the funds generated from toll payments. Regardless, the Akufo-Addo-led government cited the e-levy, which was to generate enough revenue for government, as one of the many reasons for the abolishment.
Meanwhile, Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Ghana, has recommended an increase in toll rates upon the government's hint of reintroduction. According to Mr. Bentil, toll booths are an inefficient and costly revenue collection method, often leading to long vehicle queues. He suggested increasing toll rates while adopting a modern, electronic toll collection system to reduce congestion and improve efficiency.
