Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has outlined government’s plans to ensure the sustainability of roads and bridges being constructed under the US$10 billion Big Push infrastructure programme.
His comments come after the World Bank warned that Ghana could face substantial future financial liabilities from the ambitious road investment programme if adequate and sustainable maintenance systems are not established.
In a social media post, Mr. Agbodza said the Roads and Highways Ministry is taking steps to ensure that newly constructed roads and bridges are properly maintained to protect the significant investments being made by the government.
He said a key part of the strategy is the full implementation of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund, established under the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1147), to provide sustainable and equitable financing for road maintenance.
According to the Minister, the Ministry will work with the Ministry of Finance to improve the collection and fair distribution of Road User Charges, while strengthening transparency and accountability in the use of funds allocated for road maintenance.
Mr. Agbodza also announced plans to reintroduce electronic road and bridge tolling to expand the revenue base of the Road Fund and generate additional resources for maintaining the country’s road infrastructure.
He added that all completed Big Push road and bridge projects would be incorporated into performance-based maintenance programmes, with dedicated funding provided through the Road Fund.
The Minister said the measures form part of efforts to fundamentally transform how Ghana manages and preserves its road infrastructure.
“These measures will shift the country from a ‘build–deteriorate–rehabilitate’ cycle to a ‘build–maintain–preserve’ approach,” Mr. Agbodza stated.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar