RE: Toll robbery; as state appears helpless

Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has taken note of a story published on Wednesday, 29 October 2014 edition of an online media outlet platform Ghanaweb on the above headlines. Source; “The National Forum”

The report touched on undercover investigations by The National Forum (TNF) claiming to reveal “massive daylight looting of state cash at the toll booths on the country's highways, leading to loss of millions of Ghana cedis to the state.”

Again, the report highlighted on some monies that were discovered to have been stolen within the 14-day undercover investigation by TNF. TNF also, pointed out the Government Ministry /Agency -Ministry of Roads and Highway and the Ghana Highway Authority as those responsible for Toll collection on our highways.

GHA, first and foremost wants to thank the TNF for their public vigilante service. This in itself is highly commendable.

GHA wishes to indicate that we have an evolving mechanism for the control and monitoring of the collection activities on the Highway toll booths. Ongoing measures are to strengthened collection and monitoring, include measures ranging from CCTV cameras, stationing monitoring officers and using security personnel at the booths to safe guard funds, staff and properties. The objective is to eventually plug all the loopholes.

Notwithstanding the effect so far and the Report by TNF, toll collection on the highways has been done in partnership with the private sector. Private operators are allocated the booths and have the responsibility to account for and monitor the activities of their personnel. GHA evaluates the operations of the toll collectors periodically against collection targets given in their contracts.

Collectors who consistently fail to achieve set targets or who engage in fraudulent acts may have their contracts terminated.

After reading through the report of TNF and the figures displayed, the Management of GHA and the Board will want further clarification. GHA Management and the Board will want to meet TNF to help clarify their report and findings.

GHA is therefore inviting TNF and its allied partners, as well as other stakeholders for a meeting with a view to giving a fair hearing to parties involved in the administration of Tolling on the Highways.

The objective is to identify loopholes and rectify them to achieve a lasting and sustainable solution to safeguard collection of funds that are vital to the nation’s development.

GHA once again wants to thank TNF for the yoeman’s job done.

GHA is hereby, through this publication, inviting TNF for a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer at the earliest opportunity.

Signed:

Chief Executive Officer

Ghana Highway Authority