A Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo, has described the suspension of the road toll collection in 2021 as an error made because the government failed to listen to wise counsel.

It could be recalled that while presenting the mid-year budget review in Parliament on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, the Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, announced that the government is considering bringing back the collection of road tolls.

He disclosed that the Cabinet has approved a framework established to facilitate the process of the reintroduction of the tolls in 2025.

He indicated that the government currently lacks the necessary funding for infrastructure development and suggested that innovative solutions, such as road tolling, could offer a viable solution.

As reported by 3news.com.gh, Prof Gyampo, speaking on Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, July 27, said “This government is not suffering from only winner takes all but also winners know it all, they did not listen to the wise counsel not to abolish the tolls.”

He also commented on the poor decision and its effect on the nation’s finances, stating, “You don’t have money but you are abolishing road tolls.”

The government cancelled road toll collections in 2021 after introducing the E-levy, which was to substitute the road tolls.

However, the E-levy has failed to live up to expectations, prompting the government to bring back the tolls in 2025.

ID/ ADG