All ‘Big Push’ roads to be tolled – Agbodza

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced that all road projects under President John Dramani Mahama’s “Big Push” infrastructure initiative will be subject to tolling.

He said the initiative will create a dedicated funding stream for road maintenance.

Speaking on GhOne TV’s Morning Show, the Minister explained that the move is aimed at ending the cycle of “build and neglect,” ensuring that newly constructed roads remain in good condition long after completion.

“Every Big Push Road we are investing in, there will be a tolling policy because we need to raise money to start maintaining that road immediately, it’s done,” Agbodza said.

The Minister further revealed that the strategy will include a rapid response framework for contractors. Individuals or firms awarded maintenance contracts will be held accountable for the state of the roads they construct, ensuring that maintenance is carried out promptly and efficiently.

“We are intending to have a maintenance contract on every road that is completed so that we don’t wait for after two years to say we are waiting for another money to reward a contract,” he explained.

Agbodza emphasized that proactive maintenance is critical for safety and road longevity, warning against letting minor potholes develop into major hazards.

“It is somebody’s responsibility to say that when a pothole begins to develop on some road, it’s your duty to fix it so that you will be paid for that, so we don’t wait for it to become a gully on the road,” he added.

The “Big Push” initiative, launched in September 2025, is a GH¢13.85 billion ($10 billion USD) infrastructure programme aimed at addressing Ghana’s significant road infrastructure deficit and stimulating economic growth. The programme seeks to turn the country into a construction hub, promising some of the best roads in West Africa within 24 months.

Covering over 40 projects across all 16 regions, the initiative includes urban highways, bridges, and rural feeder roads. Government officials say the tolling policy is a critical step to ensure the sustainability of these investments, preventing the roads from falling into disrepair due to inadequate maintenance funding.

According to Agbodza, the tolling scheme reflects a broader commitment by the Mahama administration to deliver quality infrastructure while maintaining it, ensuring that Ghanaians have safe, reliable roads that will serve communities long into the future.