Parliament approves bill to establish National Roads Authority for improved road management
Parliament has approved a bill to establish the National Roads Authority (NRA). Under the new arrangement, the management of trunk roads, arterial roads, collector roads, and district and inter-district roads will be placed under the jurisdiction of the NRA.
Moving the motion for the passage of the bill, Minister of Roads and Transport, Francis Asenso-Boakye, stated, “This new entity will streamline the management of Ghana’s national roads by bringing together the three key agencies currently under the Ministry—the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Urban Roads, and the Department of Feeder Roads—under a single authority.”
The objective of the bill is to establish the National Roads Authority, an autonomous body responsible for planning, developing, maintaining, and managing Ghana’s road network.
Last year, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Roads Authority to address challenges in the roads sector, such as lack of coordination, duplicated efforts, insufficient maintenance, and inconsistent standards. These issues adversely affect the road network’s quality, safety, and sustainability, impeding economic growth and social development.
The establishment of the National Roads Authority is therefore vital for achieving a well-planned, well-maintained, and safe road network in Ghana.
