CUTS International has called on the government to increase funding for road maintenance in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, citing extensive damage to roads, bridges and drainage systems caused by this year’s heavy rains.

In a statement issued on June 22, the policy think tank said deteriorating road conditions across the country are creating challenges for commuters, businesses and motorists, with potholes in some areas developing into deep gullies that slow traffic, damage vehicles and increase transport costs.

According to CUTS, while road maintenance works are generally more effective during the dry season, some roads now require immediate emergency repairs to ensure they remain safe and usable.

“Every day, ordinary Ghanaians are paying the price for bad roads. They spend more time in traffic, pay more to fix their cars, use more fuel and face higher risks on the road,” said Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International, Accra.

The organisation argued that temporary patching of potholes is not a sustainable solution, noting that poor drainage, weak road foundations and repeated flooding continue to damage road infrastructure. It called for increased investment in road maintenance, drainage works, bridge repairs and stronger supervision of road projects.

CUTS also commended the government’s Big Push agenda, which focuses on the construction of new roads and expansion of infrastructure, but cautioned against neglecting existing roads.

The think tank said maintaining existing road assets is essential to preserving public investment and ensuring an effective transport network.

“As government pursues its Big Push in road construction, we must remember that a road network is only as strong as its weakest link. New roads are important, but existing roads must also be protected,” Mr. Adomako said.

On funding, CUTS noted that the 2026 Budget allocated approximately GH¢3.0 billion to the Ghana Road Maintenance Trust Fund, compared with an estimated GH¢3.1 billion in 2025. While welcoming the allocations, the organisation said the scale of damage caused by the rains requires additional funding through the Mid-Year Budget.

It warned that insufficient investment in road maintenance would ultimately increase costs for road users through vehicle damage, higher transport expenses, lost time and avoidable accidents.

CUTS further called on the government to provide Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the resources needed to undertake road and bridge repairs in their jurisdictions.

The organisation also urged the Ministry of Roads and Highways to resolve issues surrounding the suspended National Roads Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1118), arguing that the continued suspension of the law weakens decentralised road management and limits institutional responsiveness.

In addition, CUTS called for the reintroduction of road tolls through a modern, technology-driven tolling system. It said road tolls had been a key source of funding for maintenance before their suspension in 2021 and that a transparent system could provide additional resources for road repairs.

The think tank said Ghanaians expect unsafe roads, damaged bridges and deep potholes to receive urgent attention, stressing that road infrastructure remains critical to economic activity and access to essential services.

CUTS urged the government to use the Mid-Year Budget Review to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Ghana’s road network, preserving existing road assets and reducing the burden on road users.