Former tollbooth attendants across the country have appealed to the government to use the 2027 Budget Statement to restore their livelihoods and renew their expired reassignment contracts.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM ahead of the Finance Minister’s presentation to Parliament on Thursday evening, November 12, 2026, the General Secretary of the Tollbooth Workers of Ghana, Mr Edward Duncan, stressed that reinstating the affected workers must be a key priority.
Mr Duncan noted that as the administration outlines new job creation initiatives in the upcoming fiscal policy, it would be prudent to immediately absorb persons with disabilities (PWDs) who were rendered jobless following the abolition of road tolls in November 2021. He urged the Ministry of Finance to allocate dedicated funding in the 2027 national budget to guarantee permanent, long-term re-engagement for all displaced staff.
Over 800 tollbooth attendants, including more than 200 persons with disabilities, lost their primary source of income when the state halted road toll collection five years ago. Although authorities initially assured the workers that they would remain on the government payroll and be reassigned to other public sector institutions, Mr Duncan revealed that many attendants endured prolonged periods without active duties or steady remuneration.
With the government preparing to roll out an automated, cashless road tolling regime, the union leader advocated for former attendants to be given first consideration during recruitment. He maintained that the displaced workers already possess the requisite experience, skills, and diligence needed to manage the booths effectively.
“We are not expecting to be the only ones employed when the new system takes off, because we know others will also be brought on board. However, since we were already in the system and have proven our diligence over the years, it is only fair and proper that we are given first priority,” Mr Duncan stated.
He further argued that reintroducing the tolls would serve a dual purpose by boosting domestic revenue mobilisation for the state while simultaneously restoring dignity and sustainable employment to persons with disabilities. Mr Duncan reminded the governing administration of its campaign pledge to re-engage the workers upon assuming office, noting that expectations among his members remain high ahead of the budget reading.
Touching on the economic hardships endured since 2021, Mr Duncan lamented the state’s failure to provide financial cushioning for the affected staff when their roles were scrapped. He drew comparisons to other state interventions, arguing that displaced tollbooth workers deserved similar support.
“When the tollbooth jobs were abolished, we should have been given some form of allowances to help us survive the transition. Just as Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa were provided with reintegration allowances to resettle, persons with disabilities who were legitimately working under the tollbooth system should have been granted that same level of financial assistance,” he added.
The former workers remain hopeful that Thursday evening’s budget presentation will finally bring an end to their years of uncertainty and restore their livelihoods.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
