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NPP laid foundation for digital road tolls, not Mahama- Asenso Boakye
Former Roads Minister, former Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso Boakye rejected claim by President John Mahama that his government has put in place measures for reintroduction of road tolls via a digital system.
He argues that the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration laid the foundation.
The President in his address yesterday at the Ghana CEO Summit and Awards Expo revealed that his administration will reintroduce road tolls in a modernised, cashless format to replace physical tollbooth.
This he said would leverage Ghana Card-linked vehicle ownership data to enable automatic billing and mobile money payments.
However, the former Minister, Asenso Boakye in a statement titled ‘Setting the record straight’ on Facebook has rejected the claim.
He writes
RE-INTRODUCTION OF ROAD TOLLS: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Yesterday, President John Mahama announced plans to reintroduce road tolls through a digital system; and it was portrayed as a new, forward-thinking initiative aligned with Ghana’s digital transformation. While we acknowledge his recognition of the importance of digitizing the economy, a process championed by the NPP administration, it is essential to set the record straight.
The fact remains that the groundwork for a digital road tolling system was laid by the NPP government well before President Mahama’ assumed office in January this year.
In 2021, the NPP administration made the bold decision to suspend manual toll collection. This move was driven by four key considerations:
1. Low revenue yield – Traditional toll booths generated only about GH¢70 million annually, a relatively insignificant amount in the broader fiscal framework.
2. Severe congestion – Toll booths contributed to traffic bottlenecks and increased CO₂ emissions, negatively impacting the environment.
3. High vehicle operating costs – Delays at booths led to higher fuel consumption and faster wear on vehicles.
4. Revenue leakages – The manual system was fraught with inefficiencies and prone to human interference.
In response, the NPP government, building on the solid digital infrastructure (Ghana Card and Digital Address System) it had put in place, pursued a modern, technology-driven solution. In 2024, Cabinet granted approval for the reintroduction of road tolls through a digital collection system, following a formal request by the then Minister for Roads and Highways. This policy shift was publicly confirmed in the 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review by the Minister for Finance.
To ensure efficient execution and minimize bureaucratic inefficiencies, the Ministry adopted a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Public-Private Partnership Act, 2020 (Act 1039). The approach was through an unsolicited proposal, which underwent a process including:
• Initial Business Case development
• Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment
• Sector-wide evaluation and competitive procurement procedures
This rigorous process led to the selection of an indigenous Ghanaian company as the concessionaire. A detailed Concessions Agreement was prepared and submitted to the 8th Parliament for approval. Regrettably, due to time constraints at the close of that parliamentary term, the agreement could not be finalized.
Rather than continuing this well-advanced process, the new administration chose to truncate it. The current Minister has since announced plans to reopen the process to other entities. While we respect every administration’s right to choose its procurement approach, and recognizing the fact that every procurement method has its merits and limitations, we strongly object to any attempt to claim credit for an initiative that was already in motion.
Let the record reflect this clearly: the digitization of road toll collection was conceived, structured, and set in motion by the NPP government. What is needed now is continuity—not revisionist claims or political repackaging.
Ghanaians deserve leadership that builds on progress, not one that repurposes the work of others as their own.
News
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
