The Ministry of Finance has said its letter to the Ministry of Roads and Highways proposing rates for the re-introduction of road tolls was leaked and, thus, calling on the media to be circumspect in their reportage.

According to the Ministry, the rates contained in the letter are only proposals to be subjected to consultation.

The Ministry of Finance in a statement issued by its Public Relations Unit on Wednesday, 15 March 2023, indicated that “The letter sought to convey proposed rates for the tolling of roads and highways to Ministry of Roads and Highway as part of broader consultations on the revenue generation policy”.

It continued that: “The re-introduction of road toll is a fiscal policy measure that is captured in the 2023 budget Statement and Economic Policy to support revenue generation.”

The Ministry, therefore, entreated the media to be “circumspect with their reportage on the leaked letter as the rates included in the letter are only proposals to be subjected to consultations and approvals at appropriate levels.”

Road tolls will be reintroduced in the country this year.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in a letter to the Minister for Roads and Highways proposed charges for the road tolls for confirmation by the latter.

Road tolls were cancelled in 2022 following the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy).

The road tolls were, however, re-introduced during the 2023 budget presentation on Thursday, 24 November 2022.

The Finance Minister had said: “The fiscal policy measures to underpin the 2023 Budget for consideration and approval by Parliament include the reintroduction of tolls on selected public roads and highways with a renewed focus on leveraging technology in the collection to address the inefficiencies characterised by the previous toll collection regime.”