The Government  has commenced the process to reintroduce road tolls, this time with a focus on adopting technology-driven solutions to enhance efficiency, transparency, and revenue collection.

The Ministry of Roads and Highways, which is spearheading the initiative, has invited qualified Ghanaian private sector companies to submit tenders for pre-qualification. The selected firms will be responsible for the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a modern tolling system.

This initiative is being carried out under the Public Private Partnership Act, 2022 (Act 1039) and is aimed at reviving tolling on roads and bridges while significantly improving the infrastructure. The project will see the number of tolling points expanded from 39 before the previous suspension to 65 nationwide, all equipped with advanced digital systems.

Nasir Ahmad Yartey, Head of Public Relations at the Ministry, explained the rationale behind the approach in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

“We have initiated the procurement process, inviting Ghanaian-owned companies or consortiums with at least 51 percent Ghanaian ownership to participate,” he said.

Scope

He explained that the successful bidder will be tasked with mobilizing funds to modernize Ghana’s tolling system. This includes financing, designing, and constructing toll gantries, plazas, and related infrastructure through advanced engineering and installation methods.

In terms of operations and maintenance, the chosen contractor will oversee toll collection and manage associated road and bridge infrastructure to ensure system efficiency and reliability. The bidder will also be required to implement strong technological systems to minimize revenue losses and enhance transparency.

To qualify, applicants must meet stringent technical criteria. These include having completed at least five multi-lane free-flow tolling systems, each comprising a minimum of 20 free-flow zones, within the last five years.

Additionally, they must have executed at least five projects involving centralized toll management systems covering no fewer than 10 toll points over the same period.

Applicants are also required to demonstrate experience in operating electronic payment systems capable of processing at least 300,000 transactions per day, and must have completed a minimum of five similar projects, each worth at least $30 million, within the past five years.

Deadline
The government has initiated the process to reintroduce road tolls with a technology-driven system. Mr. Nasir Ahmad Yartey, Head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Roads and Highways, has announced that the deadline for bid submissions is set for June 19, 2025.

He noted that the entire procurement process is expected to be finalized by the end of July, paving the way for the reintroduction of road tolls shortly afterward.

As part of the reintroduction, the number of tolling points across the country will be increased from 39 to 65, reflecting the government's strategy to boost domestic revenue generation.

“Toll collection remains one of the most reliable methods to raise funds for road maintenance and construction in this country,” Mr. Yartey stated.

He further emphasized that the government is committed to eliminating the inefficiencies and revenue losses that plagued the previous manual tolling system.

“We are focused on implementing a tolling system that not only blocks revenue leakages but also eliminates traffic congestion at toll booths. That’s why we are opting for a traffic-free, technology-driven solution,” he explained.

Fairness

Another feature of the system is fairness to all Ghanaians.

“Previously, if a poor farmer or trader came from Kasoa to Accra, they paid toll. But someone living in East Legon, using some of our best routes, might not have traveled out of Accra for a whole month but still paid toll, which isn’t fair,” he emphasised.

No Physical Toll Booths
When asked about the presence of physical toll infrastructure, Mr. Nasir Ahmad Yartey clarified that the new system will not include traditional toll collection booths.

Instead, the final design will be determined by the proposal submitted by the successful bidder.

“However, we’ve made it clear that our preference is for a free-flow tolling system, where vehicles can move without stopping to pay tolls,” he emphasized.

Mr. Yartey further noted that the government is working diligently to meet its target of reintroducing tolls within the year, in line with its broader infrastructure and revenue mobilization goals.