Former Roads and Highways Minister, Kwesi Amoako-Atta
The Commercial Transport Operators Association has called for the arrest and prosecution of former Roads and Highways Minister, Kwesi Amoako-Atta.
According to the Acting Chairman of the Association, Asonaba Nana Wiredu, the former Minister’s decision to suspend the collection of road tolls caused a financial loss to the state.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Wiredu stated that the former Minister took the decision despite ignoring sound advice.
He explained that at the time, the minister used the E-Levy as an excuse, insisting it would solve the country’s problems, even though many Ghanaians opposed the policy.
Asonaba Nana Wiredu maintained that the road toll was a reliable source of revenue generation, noting that foreign drivers entering the country with heavy loads paid tolls.
However, he said, the suspension of toll collection deprived the nation of a vital revenue stream.
“For instance, a Sprinter bus paid not less than GH¢20 per day, depending on the number of trips made. In a year or two, such a vehicle could pay more than GH¢7,200. When you multiply this by the number of buses that used the toll booths, it means the country lost several millions of Ghana cedis,” he stated.