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Commercial transport operators in Ghana have demanded the arrest of the former Roads Minister over the suspension of tollsThey claimed Kwesi Amoako-Atta acted without consultation and cost Ghana millions in revenue meant to boost the economyThe operators also claimed that the divisive E-Levy was only used as an excuse to scrap tolls that generated significant income Commercial transport operators in Ghana are reportedly calling for the arrest and prosecution of the immediate past Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako-Atta. According to a GhanaWeb publication, the operators are demanding the former minister’s prosecution because of the decision he took to suspend the collection of road tolls. Speaking to Rainbow Radio in an interview cited by GhanaWeb, the Acting Chairman of the Commercial Transport Association, Asonaba Nana Wiredu, stated that Amoako-Atta had decided without consultation. He said that the minister had used the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) as a post excuse to suspend the toll collections. According to Wiredu, revenues generated from the road toll collection could have helped solve the country's economic challenges. For instance, he explained that a Sprinter bus paid no less than GH¢20 per vehicle, depending on the number of trips per bus. He added that the bus could, within a year or two, pay more than GH¢7,200. When this is multiplied by the number of buses plying the various toll booths across the country, Ghana would have been accruing millions of cedis to boost its economy. Why the government suspended road toll collection In November 2021, the erstwhile New Patriotic Party-led government suspended the collection of road tolls in Ghana. According to the government, the road toll was suspended to address issues like traffic congestion, confusion, and arguments at toll booths. The Roads and Highways Ministry clarified that the suspension was related to the collection of tolls, not the abolition of the law itself. In place of the road toll, the government introduced other revenue-generating measures, such as the E-Levy. However, upon resumption of office in January 2025, the current Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, announced earlier this year that the National Democratic Congress-led government was considering the reintroduction of a modern, electronic tolling system. President Mahama abolishes E-levy President John Mahama abolished the E-Levy during his first 100 days in office, which began in January 2025. The scrapping of the controversial tax was announced in Parliament by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, during the presentation of the 2025 budget. Aside from the E-Levy, the government also cancelled the 10 per cent tax imposed on betting winnings. GPRTU threatens nationwide strike In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that commercial transport operators had threatened a nationwide strike over the increase in tax on petroleum products. Abass Ibrahim Imoro, the Industrial Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, condemned the levy, warning that drivers could hike fares as a result. Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh. Source: YEN.com.gh
