Digital road tolls not a new idea — Bantama MP to President Mahama

Francis Asenso-Boakye, the MP for Bantama, has challenged President John Mahama. He disputes Mahama’s announcement about reintroducing road tolls. Asenso-Boakye claims the digital tolling system was developed by the previous NPP government.

In a Facebook post, he stated that this system was designed and initiated under the NPP before the government changed. President Mahama announced plans for a digital tolling format at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit in Accra. This new system aims to eliminate physical toll booths and reduce traffic congestion.

Mahama framed this initiative as part of his government's digital transformation agenda. However, Asenso-Boakye insists that the groundwork was laid by the NPP back in 2021.

He explained that in 2024, Cabinet approved reintroducing tolls through a digital collection system. This decision followed a formal request from the Minister for Roads and Highways. Asenso-Boakye emphasized that it was not just a campaign promise; it was an active policy.

He noted that suspending manual toll collection in 2021 was strategic for several reasons. These included low revenue generation and high vehicle operating costs. The NPP aimed to use Ghana's digital infrastructure for a technology-driven solution through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

An indigenous company was chosen after thorough feasibility studies and competitive procurement. Unfortunately, Asenso-Boakye said, the Concessions Agreement could not be finalized before Parliament ended its session.

He criticized the new administration for abandoning this nearly-completed process to restart it differently. “We are not against change,” he said, “but it's misleading to present our work as new.”

Asenso-Boakye urged the current administration to focus on continuity instead of political point-scoring. He concluded that Ghanaians deserve leadership that builds on progress rather than repackaging others' work as their own.