Finance Minister-designate, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) commitment to reintroducing road tolls to generate revenue for road maintenance.

Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Dr Forson emphasised that the NDC has always supported road toll collection and intends to restore it.

Dr Forson explained that while the previous government under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) abolished road tolls in 2021, it had signalled plans to reintroduce them before leaving office.

“The NPP submitted a concession agreement to Parliament to reintroduce road tolls, but it was not laid,” he said.

Dr Forson stressed that the NDC has been consistent about its intention to reinstate the tolls. He cited statements from former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, who assured that the NDC would bring back road tolls.

“We are not running away from this promise. We are a party that honours its commitments, and if road tolls are a means to raise revenue, we will implement them,” he assured.

Dr Forson further argued that road toll collection is a globally accepted practice and a vital source of funding for road maintenance.

“If you use the road, you pay a toll. It is a standard practice worldwide. Ghana will not be the first or last country to adopt this,” he explained.

He added that the focus would be on ensuring efficient and effective toll collection, with all revenues directed towards maintaining the country’s road infrastructure.

Road toll collection in Ghana was abolished in 2021 by the NPP government as part of its 2022 budget policy.

The decision faced criticism from various stakeholders, who argued that tolls were a crucial source of funding for road maintenance.

The NDC, while in opposition, consistently opposed the policy, maintaining that tolls were necessary for sustainable infrastructure development.