The newly inaugurated governing board of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund (RMTF) has been directed to guarantee a fair and transparent allocation of resources to all constituencies across Ghana.
Speaking at the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Sector Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza said the reconstitution of the fund represents a decisive break from past practices where road maintenance expenditures were largely determined by ministerial discretion.
He recalled that such discretion often resulted in some parts of the country receiving little to no investment in road maintenance. According to him, the passage of the new law, Act 1147, has corrected that imbalance by granting Parliament the authority to determine how portions of the fund are utilised.
Mr Agbodza explained that the reforms were driven by public demand for improved road conditions and stronger accountability in the use of public funds. He assured that under the new framework, every constituency will receive a dedicated allocation to support at least minimum road maintenance activities.
He further noted that the re-enactment of the fund strengthens its governance and shields its resources from legal encumbrances that previously depleted its accounts. In the past, he said, court judgments secured by contractors sometimes resulted in the seizure of funds meant for nationwide road maintenance.
“With the new structure, safeguards have been put in place to prevent such situations and to ensure the fund serves its intended purpose of equitable road maintenance,” he stressed.
The minister acknowledged that the task before the pioneer board will not be easy, citing the fund’s distressed financial state and a large backlog of unpaid contractor obligations. Despite these challenges, he urged the board to demonstrate leadership and ensure that all expenditures follow due process.
He tasked the board to strictly enforce proper certification, compliance with legal requirements, and adherence to technical specifications before payments are made to agencies and contractors.
Mr Agbodza expressed confidence in the board’s ability to deliver, noting that its members bring together expertise from engineering and surveying bodies, traditional authorities, Parliament, and civil society organisations.
“The calibre and diversity of people on this board give us confidence,” he said, adding that Ghanaians have high expectations that the board’s tenure will result in visible improvements in road maintenance across the country.
