Excerpt
The Ghana Road Fund is a statutory fund established to finance the maintenance and rehabilitation of the country’s public road network. Its primary objective is to ensure that Ghana’s roads are kept in optimal condition to facilitate safe and efficient transportation.
Historical Overview
Established in 1985 under the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Road Fund was created to provide a secure source of funding for road maintenance. Initially, it was jointly managed by the Ministries of Finance, Roads & Highways, and the Controller & Accountant General’s Department. In 1997, the fund underwent restructuring, leading to the promulgation of the Road Fund Act, Act 536, which provided a comprehensive legal framework for its management.
Constitutional Mandates
The Road Fund Act, 1997 (Act 536), mandates the fund to finance routine and periodic maintenance and rehabilitation of public roads. The act also allows the fund to assist Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies in functions related to public roads.
Leadership and Structure
The Ghana Road Fund is managed by the Road Fund Management Board, comprising representatives from various government ministries and private sector organizations. The board includes the Minister for Roads and Transport (Chairman), the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Mines and Energy, the Accountant-General, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, and representatives from organizations such as the Association of Road Contractors, Ghana Private Road Transport Union, and the Ghana Institute of Engineers.
Offices and Units
The Ghana Road Fund operates under the Ministry of Roads and Highways and is managed by the Ghana Road Fund Secretariat. The secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the fund under the direction of the secretary of the Road Fund Board.
Mode of Appointment and Recruitment
Members of the Road Fund Management Board are appointed by the President of Ghana. The board comprises both public officials and private sector representatives, ensuring a balanced oversight of the fund’s activities.
Oversight and Ownership
The Ghana Road Fund is a government entity under the Ministry of Roads and Highways. The Road Fund Management Board oversees its operations, ensuring that funds are utilized appropriately for road maintenance and rehabilitation.
Partners and Stakeholders
The fund collaborates with various stakeholders, including the Ghana Highway Authority, Department of Urban Roads, Department of Feeder Roads, and private sector entities such as the Association of Road Contractors and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union. These partnerships are crucial for the effective maintenance and development of the country’s road infrastructure.
Operations and Functions
The primary function of the Ghana Road Fund is to finance the routine and periodic maintenance and rehabilitation of public roads. This includes collecting revenues from sources such as fuel levies, road tolls, vehicle license and inspection fees, and international transit fees. The fund also assists local government bodies in road-related functions and ensures that road maintenance activities are carried out efficiently.
Historical Reforms
- In 1997, the Ghana Road Fund underwent significant restructuring with the enactment of the Road Fund Act, Act 536. This reform provided a comprehensive legal framework for the fund’s management and established the Road Fund Management Board to oversee its operations.
References
- https://www.govgh.org/mdas/00f3eec196
- https://wiki.aaroads.com/wiki/Ministry_of_Roads_and_Highways_%28Ghana%29
- https://dfr.gov.gh/
- https://opencontentghana.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/road-fund-act-1997-act-536.pdf
- https://www.gfao.traoreprestations.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/3.-Presentation-GHANA.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Roads_and_Highways_%28Ghana%29
- https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/republic/mrh.php
- https://www.ghana.gov.gh/mdas/d7695ec031/
- https://mrh.gov.gh/govt-releases-ghc800million-to-pay-contractors/
- https://mrh.gov.gh/
- https://mrh.gov.gh/tag/road-fund/
- https://myghanadaily.com/13-member-management-board-for-road-fund-inaugurated/