The Ghana Road Fund faces a debt of over GH¢6 billion owed to contractors, primarily due to limited inflows resulting from the capping law.
This financial constraint stems from a 2017 parliamentary law that restricts the allocation of funds to various statutory bodies to a maximum of 25% of tax revenue.
During the launch event of the road maintenance app, a speech on behalf of Chairman of the Road Fund, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, emphasized the need for an exemption from this capping law.
Annoh-Dompreh noted, “That I am advised by counsel and verily believe same to be true that the conduct of the respondents is not only wilful but it also constitutes an unlawful interference with the administration of justice and undermines the authority of the court,” the application said.
It said, “that the respondents’ wrongful conduct is tantamount to contempt of court and warrants imposition of such appropriate punitive sanction, to serve as a deterrent to others who may dare threat the same path as the respondents.”
He further stated his intention to engage with the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet to seek an exemption for the Road Fund from the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (Act 947).
This exemption, he argued, would make necessary funds available to support ongoing initiatives and settle debts to maintenance contractors, ensuring the continuation of road projects.