Road maintenance fund board inaugurated
A 15-member Governing Board of the newly established Road Maintenance Trust Fund (RMTF) has been inaugurated with a mandate to strengthen accountability, enhance equitable resource allocation and guide the improvement of Ghana’s road network.
The board, chaired by the Member of Parliament for Wassa East, Isaac Adjei Mensah, includes representatives from key ministries, professional bodies, traditional leadership, civil society and road users.
Members of the board are Courage Kwabena Barlon, Administrator of the RMTF; Mr Samuel Kwasi Akuaku, Ministry of Roads and Highways; Leona Serwah Johnson-Abassah, Office of the Attorney-General; Richard Fedieley, Ministry of Transport; and Dr Grace Fidelia Annan, Ministry of Finance.
The rest are Ernest Henry Norgbey, presidential nominee; Mamaga Sename III, presidential nominee; Victoria Kuma-Mintah, presidential nominee; Amin Abdul-Rahaman, Ministry of Local Government; Alidu Iddrisu Zakari, representing Civil Society with expertise in road infrastructure; Stephen Kwaku Attatsi, Association of Road Contractors; Sawla Wura Iddrisu Abdulai Nugbaso, representing road users; Rev. Allan Okomeng-Mensah, Ghana Institute of Surveyors; and Godwin Joseph Brocke, Ghana Institution of Engineering.
At the ceremony, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, said the establishment of the fund under Act 1147, passed earlier this year, marked a major step toward enhancing accountability in the management of resources for road maintenance.
He explained that, unlike the previous Road Fund, which operated without firm parliamentary oversight, the new RMTF ensures equitable distribution of resources across all constituencies, guaranteeing that every district receives a minimum allocation for road maintenance each year.
“Ghanaians are concerned about the condition of our road network, and the government’s response is to ensure improvement in every part of the country. This fund is not for friends or family; it is a fund to fix the roads of Ghana,” he said.
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza highlighted the financial challenges facing the sector, stating that outstanding certificates to contractors currently exceed GH¢8 billion, while projected accruals for 2025 are expected to be around GH¢2–2.5 billion.
He said an independent audit of all claims was underway to validate the arrears, with the first batch of payments expected soon.
The minister also emphasised the need to prioritise Small and Medium Contractors (SMCs), many of whom have not been paid since 2019, despite handling essential tasks such as roadside weeding, drain clearing and pothole repairs.
The minister further reminded the board that, unlike other statutory funds such as GETFund and NHIS, the RMTF is not authorised to award new contracts, but must ensure that works undertaken by agencies such as the Department of Feeder Roads, the Department of Urban Roads and the Ghana Highway Authority are properly certified and paid for.
Pledge, vision
The Chairman of the Board, Isaac Adjei Mensah, said the inauguration marked an important milestone in the country’s collective journey toward building “a reliable, safe and sustainable road network that reflects the aspirations of a modern economy.”
He emphasised that while the country had invested billions of cedis in road construction over the years, the absence of a consistent and well-structured maintenance regime had resulted in a rapid deterioration of many road assets, increased rehabilitation costs and heightened inconvenience to the public.
“Good roads are not a luxury.
They are a foundation for national development supporting agriculture, commerce, education, health care and the movement of every Ghanaian,” he stated.
He assured the public that the fund would be managed with a strong sense of purpose, guided by firm principles of accountability.
