Road Toll Returns: President Mahama unveils automated system with GH¢1 charge
Road and bridge tolls are set to be reintroduced
President John Dramani Mahama has urged compliance with the newly introduced automated system for collecting road tolls.
Speaking at the 9th CEO Summit in Accra on May 26, 2025, President Mahama explained the seamless transition from physical toll booths at designated road points to an automated toll collection system.
The president detailed the processes involved in the new automated road toll system.
He explained that the system would be managed electronically through the Ghana Identity Card, also known as the Ghana Card.
“We said in our budget that we would reintroduce road tolls. There has been discussion about the modalities, but the good thing is that every car is linked to the owner’s Ghana Card. So, we no longer need the old toll booths.
“If you cross the East Legon bridge, we simply take a picture of your car, and the system will automatically charge the toll to your mobile money or bank account. You will just pay 1 cedi, only 1 cedi,” he stated.
Background
The reintroduction of road tolls, as previously announced by the Government of Ghana, is set to commence with the necessary processes already underway.
A report by graphic.com.gh, indicated that the reintroduced road tolls will incorporate technology-driven solutions aimed at modernising the system to improve efficiency, boost revenue generation, and ensure greater transparency.
The report further indicated that the new road toll system will be implemented at 65 toll booths nationwide, an increase from the previous 39 booths that were in operation before the suspension under the previous administration.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways, which is leading the initiative, is therefore inviting qualified Ghanaian private sector entities to submit tenders for pre-qualification in the areas of design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the new tolling system.
Additionally, this process is in line with the Public Private Partnership Act, 2022 (Act 1039).
“We are beginning the procurement process, where we are inviting Ghanaian-owned companies or a consortium that is led by Ghanaians. At least they should prove that the Ghanaians have about 51 per cent in that consortium.
“We are doing what we call the pre-qualification, where we look at the technical, the financial capacity of the firms and their legal status,” the Head of Public Relations of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, is quoted as saying by Graphic online on May 22, 2025.
The deadline set for the submission of bids from qualified entities is June 19,2025.
According to Ahmad Yartey, the successful bidder would be responsible for mobilising capital for the tolling system’s modernisation and also undertake the design and construction through engineering, construction and installation of toll gantries/plazas and related infrastructure.
In the operation and maintenance, he said the selected bidder would manage toll collection and related road/bridges and ensure system reliability and that with revenue collection, it would implement robust systems to maximise efficiency and minimise revenue leakages.
