CUTS International, a leading research and public policy think tank, is calling on government to increase funding for road maintenance in the upcoming Mid-Year Budget Review, citing widespread damage to roads, bridges, and drainage systems caused by this year’s heavy rains.
The organisation says deteriorating road conditions have become a daily burden for commuters and businesses across the country. In many areas, ordinary potholes have worsened into deep gullies, slowing traffic, damaging vehicles, increasing transport fares, and making travel more difficult for road users.
CUTS International argues that the situation now requires urgent intervention. While routine maintenance is more effective during the dry season, the group insists that several roads have reached a critical state and require immediate emergency repairs to ensure safety and accessibility.
“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. This is no longer about minor potholes. In many places, the roads are breaking down badly, and the government must respond with urgency,” said Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International in Accra.
The think tank noted that temporary patching has proven ineffective in many cases, as underlying issues such as poor drainage, weak road foundations, and recurring flooding continue to destroy repaired sections. It is therefore urging government to prioritise durable maintenance solutions, including drainage improvements, bridge rehabilitation, and stronger supervision of road works.
Balancing New Road Projects with Maintenance
While commending government’s “Big Push” infrastructure agenda aimed at expanding road networks nationwide, CUTS cautioned against prioritising new construction at the expense of maintaining existing roads.
It stressed that a functional transport system depends on both new and well-maintained existing roads, warning that neglecting current infrastructure would ultimately increase long-term costs and weaken national connectivity.
“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. We cannot build new roads with one hand and allow older roads to collapse with the other,” Mr. Adomako added.
Call for Increased Road Fund Support
CUTS International also welcomed allocations to the Ghana Road Maintenance Trust Fund, which received about GH¢3.0 billion in the 2026 Budget, following approximately GH¢3.1 billion in 2025. However, it believes the current level of funding is insufficient to address the extent of damage caused by recent rains.
According to the organisation, the rainfall has exposed the vulnerability of existing infrastructure, with roads, bridges, and drainage systems suffering extensive damage beyond normal wear and tear.
It warned that without additional resources in the Mid-Year Budget Review, the cost of inaction will be borne by the public through higher transport fares, vehicle repair expenses, delays, and increased road accidents.
Strengthening Local Response Capacity
CUTS further urged government to provide Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with adequate resources to carry out timely repairs within their jurisdictions, noting that local authorities are often the first to identify infrastructure failures.
It also called on the Ministry of Roads and Highways to address outstanding issues surrounding the suspended National Roads Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1118), arguing that its continued suspension undermines decentralised road management and slows response times.
Push for Modern Road Tolling System
The organisation additionally called for the swift reintroduction of road tolls through a modern, technology-driven system, describing toll revenues as a critical and reliable source of funding for road maintenance.
CUTS noted that the suspension of toll collection in 2021 has created a financing gap, and argued that a transparent digital tolling system would improve accountability while ensuring funds are directed into road maintenance.
It emphasised that while Ghanaians may not expect perfect roads overnight, they do expect safer, more reliable infrastructure that supports economic activity and daily mobility.
CUTS International urged government to use the Mid-Year Budget Review to demonstrate a clear commitment to protecting existing road assets, improving maintenance funding, and reducing the burden on road users.