Ghana to Reintroduce Road and Bridge Tolls with Modern System

The Ministry of Roads and Highways plans to bring back tolls with a tech-driven collection system.

Why it matters

Ghana scrapped road tolls in 2021, citing inefficiencies, traffic congestion, and revenue leakages. The decision was part of the 2022 budget, which introduced the controversial E-Levy as an alternative revenue stream.

However, with ongoing concerns about road infrastructure funding, the government is reversing course.

Context and Background:

• Road tolls were a key source of infrastructure funding before being abolished in 2021.
• The government argued at the time that toll booths caused unnecessary congestion, especially in urban areas.
• The E-Levy, meant to replace toll revenues, faced significant public resistance and did not generate expected returns.
• Calls for alternative funding solutions have grown as road conditions worsen across the country.

What’s new

• The Ministry is working on a technology-driven toll collection system to ensure efficiency and transparency.
• The procurement process will be open, competitive, and cost-effective.
• The government sees this as a solution to road maintenance funding challenges.

The big picture

Road users could soon face toll payments again, but with a modernized system designed to avoid past inefficiencies. The government’s success will depend on execution, public acceptance, and whether the system can truly address funding gaps.

What’s next

More details on the tolling system, pricing, and implementation timeline are expected in the coming months.

The government will need to convince the public that this move is necessary—and that lessons from the past have been learned.