The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana is demanding the reintroduction of road tolls to help fund road maintenance and rehabilitation efforts across the country.
Speaking in an interview with Happyghana.com, the Association’s Chairman, William Osei, popularly known as Paa Willie, acknowledged the President’s recent indications that tolls would be reinstated, but lamented the lack of a clear implementation timeline.
“The President has spoken about bringing tolls back, but time is of essence. Our roads are worsening by the day,” he said.
Paa Willie emphasized that the current drop in fuel prices offers an ideal opportunity to reintroduce road tolls, suggesting that drivers are more likely to accept the charges now than in the future when fuel prices could rise again.
He argued that reintroducing tolls immediately would help the Ministry of Roads and Highways raise much-needed revenue to repair critical infrastructure and ease the burden on road users.
“If nothing is done by the end of June, we will be forced to take matters into our own hands,” Paa Willie warned.
He revealed that the Association is prepared to mount makeshift toll booths, described as “kiosks”, at major road corridors to begin collecting tolls independently.
While stressing that the move is non-political, he said it is a desperate measure driven by years of neglect and deteriorating road conditions that are affecting drivers’ operations and passenger safety.
This is about survival. We are tired of waiting while roads break our vehicles and endanger lives.”
The government has yet to officially respond to the group’s ultimatum.
Story By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
