Road Tolls to Return in 2026, but Rollout to Begin Only on Improved Roads – Agbodza
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, says the government will reintroduce road tolls this year as part of efforts to secure sustainable funding for road infrastructure.
Speaking on JoyNews, the sector minister said the first tolling points are expected to be deployed before the end of the year, once procurement processes and technical arrangements are completed. According to him, the new system is being designed to address concerns that led to the suspension of tolls in 2021 while ensuring that the country has a reliable source of revenue for road construction and maintenance.
Mr. Agbodza explained that the new tolling policy will be based on a simple principle – only roads that have been improved will be tolled. He said the ministry will not place tolls on roads that are in poor condition or heavily damaged, stressing that the government wants motorists to see clear value for the fees they will pay.
The minister noted that the first phase of the new system will focus on major trunk roads and key national corridors that connect regional capitals to Accra. He described trunk roads as the “spine” of the country’s road network, explaining that they play a critical role in the movement of goods, services and passengers across the country.
He said several major corridors are currently under construction or undergoing upgrades, including the western corridor from Takoradi through Wenchi to Wa, the eastern corridor from Tema through Hohoe to Jasikan and the central corridor linking Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.
According to the minister, the return of tolls has become necessary because government alone cannot continue to fund road infrastructure without a stable revenue stream. He noted that the road sector requires consistent investment not only for new projects but also for maintenance, warning that many major highways deteriorate quickly when regular funding is not available.
The Adaklu MP said the new system will also take into account the different categories of road users, including commercial drivers, private motorists and emergency vehicles. He indicated that the ministry is considering flexible payment arrangements, especially for drivers who use the roads frequently, in order to make the system fair and widely accepted.
He further explained that contractors working on several major roads are currently making significant progress, with some projects already reaching advanced stages of completion. According to him, the government intends to introduce tolls only after visible improvements have been completed so that motorists will not feel they are paying for poor roads.
The minister also noted that the new tolling regime is expected to rely on a more modern system compared to the previous one, with a focus on efficiency, transparency and improved revenue collection. He said discussions are still ongoing to ensure the rollout is smooth and that the system will be accepted by the public when it is introduced later this year.
Mr. Agbodza maintained that once the new tolling system is fully implemented, it will help government protect investments already made in the road sector while supporting the construction of new highways and improving connectivity across the country.
