The Toll Workers Ghana have hinted that they will begin a series of demonstrations against government regarding the state of their jobs.

In a letter written to the Police informing them about their planned action, the toll workers disclosed that they intend to commence the demonstration on Thursday June 16, 2022.

According to them, this is to draw government’s attention to the need to protect their jobs after their work was suspended, thus causing prolonged hardships and dislocation to their individual family budgets.

“We plan to begin with a march on Thursday, 16th June, 2022 beginning at 09.00hrs in the forenoon from Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, through the Ring Road to Ako Adjei Interchange and then to assemble opposite the main Jubilee House Gate from where members will disperse after presentation of a petition to the President.”
Toll Workers Ghana

The toll workers noted that a delegation of the leadership of the PAWU Local Union of Tolls and Routes Management Ltd (TRML) will call on the Service to discuss Police presence along the routes outlined which will be repeated on 23rd June as well as 30th June, 2022. “Estimated number of participants is 400.”

Earlier, the Ghana Toll Workers Group, hinted of picketing at the Ministry of Roads and Highways over their unpaid salaries and failure to reassign them. The over 800 aggrieved former workers who manned toll booths across the country, stated that government has not paid their salaries since January 2022 and has also failed in fulfilling its pledge of reassigning them as stated in the 2022 Budget Statement.

6895052341019 7606792733694 — Hawkers at a toll booth

Workers petitioned ministry

The Toll workers indicated that they had petitioned the Ministry some months ago, including the Speaker of Parliament, Majority and Minority caucus. According to them, the Majority assured them of government’s commitment to pay salaries and fulfill its responsibilities but that hasn’t been done.

Their concerns followed the neglect by government on their profession since road toll collection was suspended after the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta announced in the budget statement an end to the collection of the tolls.

During the presentation of the 2022 budget statement to Parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, he noted that it was to take effect immediately the Budget was approved. The Minister indicated that the congestion generated at the tolling points, besides creating inconveniences, also led to pollution in and around those vicinities and to address these challenges, government sort to abolish all tolls on public roads and bridges.

According to Ken Ofori Atta, the expected impact on productivity and reduced environmental pollution will more than off-set the revenue forgone by removing the tolls.

“For decades, Government after Government imposed and maintained tolls on some public roads to raise funds for road construction and maintenance. This is the situation in many countries. However, over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads, lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity.”
Ken Ofori Atta