Road toll collectors across the country will be absorbed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways and re-assigned for other duties, a Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. John Kumah said here Monday.

Speaking at a post-budget forum organized by the Finance Ministry for members of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) and the Parliamentary Press Corps to deepen their understanding of issues in the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of the government, the Deputy Minister assured all road toll collectors would still be employed.

He said, “The announcement of the cessation of road tolls has generated discussions regarding people losing their jobs. Let me assure you that all road toll workers will be maintained and absorbed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.”

Dr. Kumah explained the road toll levy did little for the country hence its removal to ensure more forward-looking ones that will improve road infrastructure.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta stated during the presentation of the budget statement and economic policy of the government of Ghana for the 2022 financial year introduced zero rate tolls (i.e. remove toll charges) on all public roads and reassign the current workforce collecting road tolls effective immediately the budget is approved by Parliament so that they do not become any worse off because of the policy.

Few hours after the presentation of the budget, Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta issued a statement calling for the cessation of road tolls across the country.

The statement created uneasiness among road toll collectors who feared they were going to lose their jobs.