Transport operators shoot down Bishops’ Conference one dollar road toll

Transport operators have kicked against suggestion by the Ghana Charismatic Bishops’ Conference that road tolls should be increased to $1.00 equivalent as an effective measure of raising revenue for various road projects.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) are of the view that increasing road tolls to that level would be a recipe for chaos in the country.

The Conference put forth the suggestion in a communiqué signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Kwesi Deh.

“Raise the tolls, at least to the level of USD1 per car. Even Zimbabwe, in its financial difficulty, charges $1 per car as toll rate,” the communique stated.

The Communiqué further said, “several tollbooths can be created on the Accra – Kumasi Highway as follows: Achimota – Nsawam toll booth (approx. 28.2km); Nsawam – Suhum toll booth (approx. 30km); Suhum – Nkawkaw toll booth (approx. 77km); Nkawkaw –Konongo toll booth (81.4km); Konongo to Tech Junction toll booth (77km)”.

Speaking in an interview with Onua fm, the National Chairman of the GRTCC, Ben Peprah Amoabeng said it is important to pay road toll but “we need to look at where the ones that are collected goes”.

He said “if we pay much and the money is not put to good use, it will not serve the purpose”. Mr. Peprah Amoabeng added that those who use commercial transport will be in difficult situation if such suggestion is implemented.

The National Vice Chairman of the GPRTU, Robert Sarbah, also added that such suggestions are not necessary because it will bring hardship to the drivers which would be passed on to passengers. Currently, commercial vehicles (trotro) and 4x4s are charged GH₵ 1.00, while big trucks are charged GH₵ 2.00.