President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Gabriel Opoku-Asare as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund (RMTF), tasking the experienced corporate executive with helping strengthen the management and sustainability of Ghana’s road maintenance system.
The appointment was formalised on Monday, November 9, 2026, when the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, inaugurated the newly constituted Board of Trustees at the ministry’s headquarters in Accra.
Opoku-Asare takes over from Isaac Adjei Mensah, the Member of Parliament for Wassa East, bringing more than two decades of international leadership experience in corporate governance, public policy, international trade and sustainability.
Experienced Executive to Lead Road Maintenance Fund
The newly appointed chairman has built an extensive professional career spanning Africa, Europe, Asia and North America.
He currently serves as a Presidential Staffer and Chief Export Development Officer at the Office of the President, where he contributes to Ghana’s export development agenda under the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
His responsibilities include advancing international market opportunities for Ghanaian businesses, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He also serves on the Presidential Committee on Accelerated Export Development and holds a non-executive directorship at Airtel Ghana Limited.
Extensive International Corporate Leadership
Before entering government, Opoku-Asare occupied several senior leadership positions at Diageo, the multinational beverage company.
His responsibilities included overseeing sustainability programmes across 13 African markets and directing corporate affairs operations in Southeast Asia.
During his time in North America, he contributed to environmental, social and governance initiatives, particularly programmes promoting recycling and sustainable business practices.
He also served as Chief Public Affairs Officer at pawaTech, a technology company with operations across several African markets.
His earlier professional appointments include senior corporate affairs positions at Guinness Ghana Breweries, Unilever Ghana, the Mohinani Group and K-NET Ghana.
Notably, his work in road safety included collaborating with Ghana’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) on a drink-driving education initiative incorporated into the national driver’s licensing examination.
New Chairman Pledges Accountability and Efficient Resource Management
Following his appointment, Opoku-Asare expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in him and outlined his commitment to responsible management of resources allocated to road maintenance.
He emphasised that maintaining Ghana’s road infrastructure requires financial discipline, transparency and effective collaboration among relevant institutions.
His leadership is expected to prioritise accountability, value for money and stronger partnerships involving government agencies, Parliament, road contractors, private sector stakeholders and road users.
15-Member Board to Oversee Road Maintenance
Opoku-Asare will lead a 15-member Board of Trustees comprising representatives from government institutions, engineering and surveying professional bodies, civil society, traditional authorities and the road construction industry.
Among the board members are Courage Kwabena Barlon, Administrator of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund; Ing. Samuel Kwasi Akuaku, Chief Director at the Ministry of Roads and Highways; and Dr Grace Fidelia Annan, representing the Ministry of Finance.
Other members represent the Ministry of Transport, the Attorney-General’s Office, the Association of Road Contractors, the Ghana Institution of Surveyors and the Ghana Institution of Engineering.
The diverse composition of the board is intended to bring technical expertise, institutional oversight and stakeholder representation to the management of road maintenance resources.
Strengthening Ghana’s Road Infrastructure
The Road Maintenance Trust Fund was established under the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1147), replacing the previous Road Fund framework.
The legislation provides for a dedicated governance structure responsible for overseeing resources intended for the maintenance of Ghana’s road network.
The fund operates under a Board of Trustees and is subject to parliamentary oversight and independent auditing.
With the appointment of the new leadership, attention will be focused on improving the efficiency, transparency and long-term sustainability of road maintenance financing.
Effective implementation of these responsibilities will be important to preserving Ghana’s road infrastructure, improving transportation conditions and supporting economic activity across the country.
Source: MyJoyOnline
