In a decisive bid to protect Ghana’s road infrastructure and reduce costly damage, the government has unveiled a new set of stringent measures targeting overloaded trucks — a major contributor to the country’s deteriorating road network.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Wednesday, Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, announced a proposed tenfold increase in penalties for overloading—from GH¢5,000 to GH¢50,000. The move, he said, is aimed at deterring transport operators from exceeding axle load limits, which significantly shorten the lifespan of paved roads.
“Overloading is a persistent problem that is eating into the huge investments we make in road construction. Roads like the Agona Junction to Tarkwa stretch, which was completed less than a year ago, are already in bad shape largely due to axle overload,” Mr. Agbodza said.
To reinforce compliance, the Ministry has set up a cross-sectoral technical committee tasked with reforming the country’s axle load control framework. Their mandate includes reviewing axle weight enforcement mechanisms, modernising weighbridge facilities, aligning practices with ECOWAS transport protocols, and preventing early pavement failures.
The Minister also highlighted a broader overhaul of road financing strategies, revealing that Cabinet has approved the reintroduction of road and bridge tolls. However, unlike previous manual systems, the new tolling arrangement will be fully electronic.
“The days of long queues and opaque toll collection are over. We are transitioning to automated toll systems that will ensure transparency, reduce congestion and improve revenue tracking,” Mr. Agbodza stated.
He emphasized that the tolls will only apply to roads that are properly engineered and in good condition: “We won’t be charging tolls on rough or unmotorable roads. The idea is to ensure road users pay only for quality infrastructure.”
The new toll rates have already been submitted to Parliament through the Ministry of Finance for consideration, signaling a return to tolling with a modern, efficiency-focused model.
The dual reforms — tighter axle load control and the revival of tolling — form part of the government’s strategy to preserve national road assets, improve road maintenance financing, and enhance the quality of transport infrastructure across the country.
