Professor of Political Science at the nation’s premier University, the University of Ghana has chided government for the knee-jerk action of canceling the collection of road tolls and reintroducing same.
Recent correspondence between the Finance minister Ken Ofori Atta and Minister for Roads and Highways Kwasi Amoako Atta reveal plans to reintroduce higher road tolls over a year after the road tolls were deserted by workers who were ordered out of their booths by a statement issued by the Roads minister.
At the time, government said it was cancelling the collection of road tolls in favour of the much vaunted E-levy.
So confident was the Nana Akufo-Addo administration of the prospects of the E-levy that they ignored calls for a reconsideration of the policy to cancel road tolls.
More than a year on, the road tolls are back with the two key actors in its cancellation, the architects of its return.
Responding to the development, Professor for Political Science Ransford Gyampo condemned government for its intransigence considering the fact that it was pointed out to them that the road tolls generated some resources for the nation, particularly in the wake of the nation’s economic misery.
“Now we want to reintroduce the road tolls? Good idea. But what went into the decision to cancel it?”
“Governance is too serious a business to be left in the hands of mere political point scorers. The ideals of the Philosopher King are to guide those ruling!,” he said.
Prof Gyampo called on government to be responsive and listen to voices of dissent adding “he who is cutting a path would never know if his back is crooked.”
Source: Radiogoldlive.com
