Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana’s road tolling system to ensure fair revenue generation for road infrastructure6 development. He noted that the current system unfairly burdens a small group of citizens and suggested that digitalization could expand the tolling system to include more people.
During the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Ghana Highway Authority, Bawumia emphasized the need for innovative financing solutions for road infrastructure development. He spoke at a high-level expert panel discussion in Accra, which aimed to explore alternative funding strategies beyond government budget allocations.
The Vice President stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in securing funding for Ghana’s road network. He highlighted the need to engage private sector investment to reduce the government’s financial burden and ensure sustainable funding for road infrastructure development.
“Our government is determined to close the financing gap through a multipurpose approach and wishes to propose fully policy initiative to address some of the identified challenges.
“Public-private partnerships offer a viable solution to budget the financing gap in funding road infrastructure development,” Dr Bawumia stated.
Vice President Bawumia emphasized the vital role of Ghana’s road transport network, which handles over 90% of the country’s goods and passenger movement. He cited recent data showing that a staggering $12 billion is needed to address the maintenance backlog and upgrade approximately 94,203 kilometers of roads to optimal condition, ensuring safe and efficient transportation.
“Our government recognises the critical role that road infrastructure plays in our national development agenda.
“We are committed to ensuring that our road network supports our economic ambitions, enhances the quality of life for our citizens, and leaves a legacy for future generations,” Dr Bawumia emphasised.
Despite the critical need for funding, Vice President Bawumia noted that current funding levels only met about 38% of the required amount, resulting in a substantial financing gap that needed to be bridged to adequately maintain and develop Ghana’s road network.
“This gap translates into deteriorating road conditions, increased maintenance costs, and missed economic opportunities,” he noted.
According to Vice President Bawumia, the Akufo-Addo administration has made infrastructure development a top priority, recognizing it as a key driver of Ghana’s economic growth and a crucial component of the country’s overall economic strategy.
“We have made significant strides in expanding and improving our road network, yet we acknowledge that more needs to be done.
“Our government is determined to close the financing gap through a multipronged approach,” the Vice President added.
Vice President Bawumia emphasized that forming effective partnerships for road financing requires cultivating robust collaborations with a range of stakeholders, including construction companies, engineering firms, and tech innovators, who can offer not only financial backing but also vital technical expertise and knowledge
“Public-private partnerships are vital for sharing the responsibilities and rewards of infrastructure development. Such collaborations often lead to improved quality of infrastructure and can significantly reduce the burden on public finances, allowing for the reinvestment of savings into other essential areas,” he pointed out.
