By: Godfred Amoaful
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Highway Authority, Collins Donkor, has called for the re-introduction of road tolls to generate enough funds to maintain roads that are in a deplorable state. It will help the road sector mobilize money for other activities being undertaken by the Authority.
He said this and other measures like cooperating with law enforcement agencies and community vigilance will also help protect the road infrastructure from being vandalized. He said this will boost the authority’s capacity to maintain and upgrade the country’s road network and ensure they remain safe and reliable for use.
Mr. Donkor made the call during the launch of activities to celebrate the Authority’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary in Accra.
The Ghana Highway Authority established in 1974 under the NRC decree is responsible for the administration, control, development, and maintenance of all public highways and related facilities in Ghana.
They also plan, develop, and maintain trunk road networks, ferries, and traffic devices across the country.
The Chief Executive, Collins Donkor underscored the critical role of collaboration among stakeholders across the sector in overcoming some of the Authority’s challenges. He said the Authority must leverage partnerships with other institutions to adopt local materials to enhance road durability while reducing the cost of construction.
“Effective collaboration among stakeholders across the sector is crucial to overcoming the challenges ahead, from funding constraints to environmental issues, we leverage with research institutions to adopt local materials to reduce cost”.
Additionally, in addressing the fiscal challenges I advocate for a national dialogue on the sustainable funding module including the reintroduction of modern road and bridge tolling. Such measures will filter our capacity to maintain and upgrade our roads systematically”.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said as part of enhancing the road maintenance program, the Ministry is establishing a Call Center and Maintenance App to address issues associated with road maintenance through a participatory approach.
“This call center and the App will allow the public to report portholes, and other road defects by submitting photos of road defects from each geographical location in real-time. The ministry through its agencies will address these issues immediately”.
The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare commended the Ghana Highway Authority for focusing on its vision of connecting communities, facilitating training, and promoting national unity through reliable and quality highways.
She insisted that the Akufo-Addo-led administration is committed to improving the road infrastructure by investing in the road sector.
She said the government, through the Authority, has completed 12,000 kilometers of roads and incorporated six additional interchanges across the country.
All these, she said, are a testament to the government’s commitment towards the advancement of the sector and the road network.
The Golden Jubilee celebration themed; Development and Maintenance of Quality Highways, retrospective and perspectives will have activities such as stakeholder engagements, blood donation, and technical symposiums.
The activities will run from this month to the end of October this year.
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