The Ghana government allocates GH¢2.81 billion for road maintenance in 2025, a 155.5% increase from 2024. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson revealed this during the budget presentation. Plans include the uncapping of the road fund and reintroducing road tolls, previously suspended, to boost revenue. The road sector faces a substantial debt of GH¢100 billion.
The Ghanaian government has designated GH¢2.81 billion specifically for road maintenance, marking a significant 155.5 percent increase over the GH¢1.1 billion allocated in 2024. This announcement was made by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, during the presentation of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament.
Additionally, the Minister noted that the road fund will be uncapped to secure more funding for the road sector. He emphasized the government’s objective of reintroducing road tolls through a technology-driven approach to enhance revenue collection, following their suspension in 2022 by the previous administration.
Dr. Forson asserted that halting toll collections has adversely affected the road sector’s capacity to generate necessary funds for construction and maintenance. This situation is highlighted by the existing debt of GH¢100 billion in the road sector and a road fund liability reaching GH¢5.75 billion.
While historical revenue from road tolls has underperformed, the Minister pointed out that maintaining a zero-rate policy has further deteriorated the financial prospects for road infrastructure. To address this, the government plans to collaborate with stakeholders, including the private sector, to reintroduce these tolls in 2025 as part of the Big Push Programme, thereby aiming to revitalize the sector.
The Ghanaian government’s commitment of GH¢2.81 billion for road maintenance in 2025 highlights an essential increase in funding to address the debt-laden road sector. The anticipated reintroduction of road tolls, equipped with technology-driven solutions, seeks to enhance revenue collection and support infrastructure development, crucial for meeting the growing demands for road improvements. Through collaboration with various stakeholders, the government aims to effectively manage its road infrastructure challenges.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
