Ghana Loses GH₵1 Billion Annually Due to Abolition of Road Tolls: Exclusive Interview with Emmanuel Cherry Reveals Solution
n an exclusive interview with Kessben News, Emmanuel Cherry, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, revealed that Ghana loses a staggering GH₵1 billion annually due to the abolition of road tolls. This significant revenue loss has sparked concerns about the country’s ability to develop and maintain its road sector.
According to Mr. Cherry, the abolition of road tolls has resulted in a substantial financial burden on the government. “The loss of GH₵1 billion annually is a significant blow to our economy,” he stated. “This revenue could have been used to develop and maintain our roads, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.”
However, Mr. Cherry is optimistic about the government’s interest in reintroducing road tolls, albeit in a digitized format. “We are delighted that the government is considering reintroducing road tolls,” he said. “A digitized road toll system will provide transparency, prevent revenue leakages, and help develop our road sector.”
Mr. Cherry emphasized the need for Ghana to modernize its systems, particularly as the gateway to Africa. “We need to move away from manual systems and adopt digital solutions to prevent revenue leakages and promote transparency,” he urged.
The proposed digitized road toll system is expected to address these concerns. By leveraging technology, the system will provide real-time data on toll collections, reduce corruption, and increase revenue generation.
When asked about the timeline for implementing the digitized road toll, Mr. Cherry revealed that they are awaiting the President’s comprehensive 2025 budget in March. “We are hopeful that the budget will include provisions for the implementation of the digitized road toll system,” he said.
The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry has been advocating for the reintroduction of road tolls to support the development of the country’s road sector. With the proposed digitized road toll system, Ghana may finally be able to address its revenue leakages and promote transparency in toll collections.
As Ghana awaits the implementation of the digitized road toll system, one thing is clear: the country’s economic development depends on its ability to generate revenue and invest in critical infrastructure. The reintroduction of road tolls, in a digitized format, may be the solution Ghana needs to unlock its economic potential.
