Minister for Roads and Highways, Honourable Kwame Governs Agbodza, has noted that as part of efforts to enhance enforcement of axle weight limits, the government will hike the fine for overloading on the roads by motorists from GH₵5,000 to GH₵50,000.

The Roads Minister made this known on July 30 when he updated the public on the progress of his ministry and the road sector as part of the Government Accountability Series. Honourable Kwame Governs Agbodza revealed that the penalty will not only be borne by the motorists, but whoever owns the goods being transported will also be affected.

“We are increasing the penalty for overloading on our roads from GH₵5,000 to GH₵50,000. We hope that will be an additional deterrent for people to make sure they work within the rules. Currently, the penalty is solely on the driver. We intend that the penalty be extended to the owner of the goods,” he said.

The Roads Minister explained that a portion of the goods will be seized and auctioned, and the money put in the Road Maintenance Trust Fund.

“I am sure if you lose half of your goods as a result of overloading, the next time we will all work within the limit,” he added.

He vehemently bemoaned the current axle load regime, stating that it is “one of the biggest challenges we have.” Honourable Kwame Governs Agbodza clarified that the monies taken is not a fee but a fine for an unlawful activity.

“Whatever money we collect in terms of penalties or whatever you pay in respect to axle loading is not a fee, it is a penalty for wrongdoing. Our aim is to make sure that axle loading accruals become zero. If they do, it means people have stopped overloading. No amount of money we collect in terms of penalties on axle loading can ever be enough to repair the damage caused by truckers on our roads,” he said.

The sector minister added that “Those of you who have seen part of the road from Agona Junction to Tarkwa, which was done just less than a year ago, part of the reason that road is almost gone is partly because of axle loading, though not entirely.”

A cross-sectoral technical committee has been formed to review and improve the axle load control regime. The objectives include enhancing enforcement of axle weight limits, modernizing weighbridge infrastructure, aligning practices with ECOWAS protocols and best practices and reducing premature pavement failures caused by overloaded trucks.

The Roads Minister revealed that his ministry has intensified collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including road contractors, consulting engineers, transport unions, traditional authorities, local assemblies, professional bodies, foreign missions, and development partners.

Engagements have brought to light several systemic issues, including delays in contractor payments, proliferation of stalled projects, inefficiencies in procurement processes, insufficient technical supervision on some projects and need for improved local content participation

These insights, Honourable Kwame Governs Agbodza said, are informing sector-wide reforms, with renewed emphasis on performance-based contracts, project vetting, quality assurance, and value-for-money audits.

The sector minister also shared details on the government’s decision to enhance road revenue sustainability. “To improve road maintenance financing, the Cabinet has approved the reintroduction of road and bridge tolls, with a focus on modernizing toll collection infrastructure,” the Roads Minister said.

Key features of the reform include the transition to electronic and automated tolling systems, enhanced transparency and auditability of revenue flows, improved user experience, and reduced congestion at toll points.

The Roads and Highways Ministry has launched a concessionaire prequalification process. Public advertisements have been issued, and a prequalification conference was held on July 3, 2025.

According to Honourable Kwame Governs Agbodza, a total of twelve (12) firms have submitted applications, which are currently under evaluation.

The Roads Minister revealed that the proposed new toll rates have been submitted to Parliament through the Ministry of Finance.

“These rates are structured to be fair, transparent, and reflective of road usage intensity. This modernization supports our commitment to digital transformation and fiscal discipline,” the sector minister added.

Effective November 2021, the erstwhile government ordered the suspension of the collection of road tolls across the country in a bid to ease traffic congestion at toll booths and in the hope that a portion of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) revenue would be committed to maintaining the roads.

The e-levy has failed to generate the necessary funds since its passage, a development that has now led to the need for the reintroduction of road tolls. In April this year, the incumbent government abolished the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).

The repealed taxes include the betting tax, emissions tax, and other levies. The E-Levy, introduced in 2022, had imposed a 1.5% tax on electronic transactions, sparking widespread criticism from the public and business community. Many argued that it stifled digital transactions and placed an unnecessary burden on citizens.

The removal of these taxes was a core pledge in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s manifesto, aimed at reducing the cost of living and encouraging business expansion. With the repeal bill now signed into law, many Ghanaians are celebrating the move as a step towards financial relief.

Supporters of the repeal argue that eliminating these levies will promote digital transactions, stimulate economic activity, and improve disposable income for households and businesses.

Meanwhile, the Roads Minister has revealed that the Ministry of Finance has initiated plans to disburse payments to road contractors to ease sector-wide liquidity constraints. This is expected to alleviate liquidity pressures within the road construction sector and restore contractor confidence and work progress, as well as strengthen the contractor–government partnership.

A streamlined payment regime is being developed to prevent future arrears and promote continuous project implementation, Honourable Kwame Governs Agbodza revealed.

The government is to release GH¢4 billion by the end of July 2025 to settle arrears owed to road contractors, the Roads Minister revealed. Earlier, the minister noted that the government owes road contractors GH¢21 billion.

As part of the Government’s infrastructure development policy and in fulfillment of the Big Push initiative outlined in the NDC 2024 Manifesto, the Ministry is implementing a strategy to rapidly expand the road network, improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and catalyze economic growth.

This programme is also intended to provide the infrastructure base needed to support the 24-hour economy by ensuring round-the-clock movement of goods and services.

The Ministry of Roads and Highways has undertaken studies and prepared comprehensive engineering interventions and cost estimates for road projects under the Big Push Programme.

The Ministry of Finance has since issued commitment authorizations for a number of road infrastructure projects under the Big Push Programme which includes construction of a new bridge on the Oti River at Dambai; rehabilitation of the Wa-Han Road; upgrading of the Tumu-Hamile Road; upgrading of the Akosombo-Gyakiti-Kudikope Road; and rehabilitation of the Wenchi-Sawla Road.