The Ministry of Roads and Highways announces cessation of road tolls across the country effective Thursday midnight.
Government in the 2022 budget presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta proposed to abolish all road tolls in the country.
The minister explained that the proposal is to enhance productivity and reduce environmental pollution as well as to reduce the heavy vehicular traffic that road tolls are found to cause nationwide.
“Mr Speaker, our roads need fixing. Our roads are being fixed. It is true that more roads have been fixed and are being fixed over the last five years than any relative period in the entire history of our nation. We even want to do a lot more and this budget will cater for this.
“That is why for decades, government after government imposed and maintained tolls on some public roads to raise funds for road construction and maintenance. This is the situation in many countries.
“However, over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads, lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity. The congestion generated at the tolling points, besides creating these inconveniences, also leads to pollution in and around those vicinities.
“To address these challenges, Government has abolished all tolls on public roads and bridges. This takes effect immediately the Budget is approved.
The toll collection personnel will be reassigned. The expected impact on productivity and reduced environmental pollution will more than off-set the revenue forgone by removing the tolls,” Mr Ofori-Atta stated.
In a quick move to implement the budget statement, the Ministry of Roads and Highways has announced the close down of all toll booths in the country effective Thursday, November 18, 2021.
“Following the presentation of the 2022 budget by the Hon. Minister of Finance on behalf of His Excellence the President of Republic of Ghana on Wednesday November 17, 2021, the Ministry of Roads and Highways hereby directs the cessation of roads and bridge tolls at all location nationwide.
The directive takes effect from 12:00 am Thursday November 18, 2021,” according to a statement issued by the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta.
Motorists were therefore advised to approach the locations with caution and observe all safety measures that will be put in place.
By Vincent Kubi