In a bold and forward-thinking move, Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways-designate, has signaled a significant shift in Ghana’s road tolling system.
Speaking before Parliament during his vetting Monday, January 20, 2025, Mr. Agbodza announced plans to reintroduce road tolls, but with a modern twist —digitizing the entire toll collection process. This move has been widely welcomed by Ghanaians, who are eager to see a revitalized road infrastructure that can truly support the nation’s economic growth.
Mr. Agbodza, with his extensive background in the road sector, understands the complexities of maintaining and expanding the country’s road network. His experience over the years as the Ranking Member on the Committee on Roads and Transport in the 8th Parliament of Ghana makes him uniquely qualified to address the long-standing challenges that have plagued toll collection systems in Ghana, especially under the erstwhile NPP government.
The Minister-designate’s plan to digitize road tolls is not just a response to financial constraints but a visionary approach to harness technology for efficiency, transparency, and greater revenue generation.
A smart solution for road financing
The concept of road tolls is not new to Ghanaians, but the manual tolling system, which was abruptly collapsed by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, has often been criticized for inefficiencies and revenue leakages. With digitization, Mr. Agbodza aims to eliminate these issues, ensuring that funds generated from tolls are properly accounted for and reinvested into the country’s road infrastructure.
Digitizing the tolls promises a wide range of benefits. First and foremost, it will significantly reduce the time vehicles spend at toll booths, improving traffic flow on major highways and reducing congestion.
With automated systems in place, toll collection can become seamless, faster, and more reliable. Drivers will also have the option to pay through various digital platforms, making the process more convenient for everyone, particularly in an era where digital payments are becoming the norm.
The introduction of a modern tolling system could create new revenue streams for the government, which can be reinvested into maintaining and upgrading roads while servicing the huge debt in the road sector. Ghana’s road infrastructure has long been a source of concern, with many highways in need of urgent repairs and expansions. The Hon. Minister-designate’s plan is not just about revenue; it is about using that revenue efficiently to improve the lives of Ghanaians through better roads, reduced travel times, and enhanced safety.
Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza’s commitment to improving Ghana’s road sector is evident in his past work and his thoughtful approach to the challenges at hand, including his criticism of the NPP government’s reckless borrowing with unreasonable interest rates, which has compounded over the years. He is a leader who doesn’t just understand the intricacies of road development but also the broader economic and social impact of transportation infrastructure. His proposed digitization of road tolls reflects a deep understanding of global trends and a forward-looking mindset that will help modernize Ghana’s road sector in line with the digital revolution sweeping the world.
His vision goes beyond merely collecting tolls—it is about building a system that will be self-sustaining, transparent, and adaptable to future needs. The ability to collect tolls digitally will also reduce the need for physical toll booths, leading to a cleaner and safer environment. More importantly, it will pave the way for more efficient use of public funds in the development and maintenance of roads.
The introduction of digitized road tolls is a promising step toward building a more robust, modernized infrastructure in Ghana. Under Member of Parliament for Banda’s leadership, the Roads Ministry is poised to not only solve pressing financial issues and accumulated debts but also lay the foundation for sustainable development in the transport sector. His vision could serve as a model for other sectors in the country, reinforcing the notion that technology and innovation are key to overcoming the challenges faced by developing nations.
Ghanaians are ready for a positive change, and with Hon. Agbodza’s leadership, the future of the country’s roads looks brighter than ever. As he takes charge of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the nation can look forward to a transportation system that is more efficient, transparent, and, above all, capable of supporting Ghana’s ambitious growth goals in the coming decades.
By: Sampson Tagbor (Public Relations Expert)
