By Aaron Hammond 
The long wait and debates are finally over! The government is bringing back road tolls in Ghana, and this time, it’s going completely digital. If you have been wondering how our roads will be fixed, Parliament has just approved a new agreement to make this happen.
Let’s be real, the potholes on some of our roads are causing serious damage to cars. The reintroduction of these tolls is the government’s way of raising funds to maintain our roads and bridges.
The New Electronic Toll Collection System
Forget the days of waiting in long traffic lines at toll booths just to hand over coins. Under a new public-private partnership, Ghana is introducing a nationwide electronic toll collection system.
Here is what you need to know about the new system:
- Wider Coverage: Tolling will take place at 66 locations across 13 major corridors in the country.
- New Stations: This includes 38 existing toll locations and 28 newly identified strategic spots.
- Modern Tech: The system will use internationally accepted electronic technology to make paying fast and easy, reducing revenue leakages.
This means a smoother ride and less congestion at toll points!
Also Read: DVLA Rolls Out New Digital Number Plates! Here’s What You Need to Know
The 20-Year Concession Agreement
Parliament has officially approved a 20-year concession agreement between the Ministry of Roads and Highways and Rock Africa Limited.
The deal is broken down into a three-year phase for design and construction, followed by 17 years of actual operation and maintenance. When the 20 years are up, all the project assets will be handed back to the Government of Ghana.
How Will the Toll Revenue Be Shared?
The best part of this agreement is the revenue-sharing plan. Ghana gets the bigger slice of the pie!
The government will take home 70% of the gross toll revenues, which will go straight into the Road Trust Maintenance Fund. The private company handling the operations (Rock Africa Limited) will keep the remaining 30%.
This means more money in the national purse to fix our roads without the headaches of the old manual system!