Alagumgube welcomes Parliament's approval of electronic road toll agreement, reiterates call for seamless digital system

The Alagumgube Association, a community and development organisation representing Farefari (Frafra)-speaking people, primarily from the Upper East Region, has welcomed Parliament's approval of a 20-year concession agreement to reintroduce electronic road and bridge tolls in Ghana.

The association described the decision as a major milestone towards securing sustainable funding for road maintenance and infrastructure development while improving transparency in toll revenue collection.

Parliament on Thursday approved the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between the Ministry of Roads and Highways and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be incorporated by Rock Africa Limited to finance, develop, operate and maintain a nationwide electronic tolling system.

Reacting to the approval, Patron of Alagumgube, Naba Peter Alluzelle, welcomed Parliament's decision, describing it as a positive step towards ensuring sustainable financing for Ghana's road infrastructure.

He noted that the approval also reinforces proposals previously put forward by the association's founder, Mr. Gabriel Agambila, who has consistently advocated a technology-driven toll collection system to eliminate revenue leakages and improve accountability.

Among the proposals earlier advanced by Mr. Agambila was the implementation of an EZ-Pass-style electronic tolling mechanism before the nationwide rollout.

He proposed linking every vehicle registration number to the owner's bank account, debit or credit card, or mobile money wallet to enable automatic deductions whenever vehicles pass through designated toll points.

Mr. Agambila said linking vehicle number plates to financial accounts would ensure toll revenues are automatically collected and channelled directly into road maintenance and infrastructure development while eliminating opportunities for revenue leakages.

He also proposed that a dedicated lane be reserved at toll stations for foreign vehicles and trucks whose financial accounts may not be integrated into Ghana's electronic payment system.

According to the association, although Parliament has approved a fully electronic tolling system, its success will depend on deploying a transparent and efficient payment mechanism that commands public confidence.

Alagumgube further reiterated its call for part of the revenue generated from the toll system to be invested in strategic infrastructure projects in the Upper East Region, including the maintenance of the Suyani Airport and the completion of the Bolgatanga Airport project, both of which the association has consistently championed.

The association reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the new electronic road toll system.

Naba Peter Alluzelle also reiterated concerns the association has consistently raised over wasteful energy practices within public institutions, including unnecessary idling of official vehicles and electricity wastage in public offices.

He called on government institutions to accelerate the adoption of solar energy and enforce stricter energy conservation measures to reduce operational costs, improve energy efficiency and promote environmental sustainability.