The immediate past Director of the Institute for Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Prof. Peter Quartey, says Ghana must expedite efforts to reinstate road tolls and strengthen its public–private partnership (PPP) framework if it hopes to mobilise the level of financing needed for the 198.7-kilometre Accra–Kumasi Expressway, a flagship project under President Mahama’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme.
He argues that sustainable financing—not political ambition—will determine whether the expressway becomes a transformative economic corridor or another stalled national promise.
His comments follow the Finance Minister’s reaffirmation that the government remains fully committed to completing the expressway within three years to ease mobility, reduce logistics costs, and stimulate trade between the country’s two largest urban economies.
But Prof. Quartey insists the fiscal space is too tight for the government to rely solely on the public purse, making investor participation indispensable.
According to him, Ghana weakened its infrastructure financing credibility when it scrapped tolls, a key cost-recovery mechanism that international investors recognise as standard practice for major highways.
“Government can not construct every important road in this country alone. That is where public-private partnership is important; you can get funding, construct toll and pay. If that is the concept then I fully support this expressway because we need better roads,” he said.
Prof. Quartey maintained that tolling must return quickly—backed by improved road quality and efficient electronic systems—to restore investor confidence.
“So for me when road tolls were scrapped I was very disappointed because you are sending the wrong signal to the private sector,” he added.
Citing Kenya’s modern toll expressways, he argued that well-structured PPPs can accelerate project delivery, improve maintenance, and reduce long-term fiscal pressure.
Prof. Quartey stressed that without credible financing reforms, Ghana risks delaying a project that has the potential to unlock development, boost regional competitiveness, and reshape the country’s transport economy.
