The Alliance of Drivers-Ghana has vowed to park their vehicles if road tolls are reinstated as announced by the Minister of Finance.
Road tolls were suspended in 2021 by the government as a result of the increasing traffic caused at various toll booths across the country.
The abolishment did not sit well with some sections of Ghanaians as they believe it was a source of income for the state.
However a year after scrapping the road tolls, the government announced in the 2023 budget to reintroduce it once again.
A statement released by the Finance Ministry confirmed the revised rates and steps taken to reintroduce road tolls in accordance with section 6 of Act 1080.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Drivers who according to a statement signed by the National Chairman, Alhaji Yahya Isiak indicated their participation in calling for the road tolls to be scrapped.
“Some time past, we held a press conference at kasoa and highlighted to the government the need to scrap road toll.
Some of the key issues we spoke about included the dirt and mess on our roads, unnecessary congestion and traffic, the high cost of fuel as a result of a delay in traffic among others.
They believe that these cogent reasons highly influenced the government to scrap the road tolls and it has been better since.
The statement further added that “the question we ask is why a sudden reintroduction of road toll and a marginal increase in the fares as well.”
The group however wants government to explain to them the reasons for the sudden diversion as it believes the recent economic hardship is not favourable for paying road tolls.
They added that if explanations are not given, the group will urge all drivers and transport operators to put on hold all transport business.
“We believe it can be done and be done well if proper consultation is done on these key, decisions as the negative impact it’s having on the ordinary Ghanaian is unbearable”.
The reintroduction of the toll would however be discussed on the floor of Parliament before a final decision is taken.
