Tax and policy analyst, Geoffrey Ocansey has said that it is high time Ghana took the bold step in scrapping the physical and manually operated toll system and implement the electronic toll system.
Speaking on Plan B FM ‘Nkosuo Nsem’ with Ohene Addo, Mr. Ocansey said the main aim of every toll system is to maximize revenue collection for the repairs of roads and support other governmental projects.
The current human manned toll system is the least efficient and a major contributor to road hold-ups. He also said it serves as a hot spot for theft and corruption.
“We need to take a second look at our road collection system. Road tolls should reflect on the lives of Ghanaians, we need to digitize and remove human interphase in the ticketing of road tolls. There are countless reports of fake receipts road users receive from toll operators. The toll system since its introduction has been seen as a good source of revenue but on the other hand, a major contributor to road traffic holdup. Residents who reside in other parts of the country where toll booths are installed would attest to this fact. How smooth and hold-up free would it be to drive from Accra to Kasoa without stopping to pay for a road toll but rather pay electronically at your convenience”, he quizzed.
Reacting to the recent comment made by the Roads Minister, Kwaku Amoako-Atta that Ghanaians should be ready to pay more for road tolls to aid in the provision of proper road infrastructure in the country, he said the government should account for the existing road tolls and tell Ghanaians what they have done with it.
He said this will boost their confidence and motivate Ghanaians to pay more for road tolls.
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