Mahama Appoints Gabriel Opoku-Asare as Chairman of Road Maintenance Trust Fund Board

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Gabriel Opoku-Asare as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund (RMTF). The appointment was formalized on November 9, 2026, at an inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Roads and Highways in Accra. The ceremony was presided over by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza. Opoku-Asare takes over from former board chairman Isaac Adjei Mensah.

Opoku-Asare has over 20 years of executive experience spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. He has built a career in public policy, international trade, and corporate affairs. Currently, he serves as a Presidential Staffer and Chief Export Development Officer at the Office of the President under the 24-Hour Economy initiative. He leads Ghana's export transformation agenda, including efforts to improve market access through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Before entering public service, Opoku-Asare held several senior positions at Diageo, working across different continents. He was the Head of Society for Africa, overseeing sustainability programs in 13 priority markets. He also served as Executive Director of Corporate Affairs for Diageo Southeast Asia, based in Singapore. His international corporate experience includes serving as Chief Public Affairs Officer at pawaTech, an Estonia-based technology company operating in 18 African markets.

Opoku-Asare has served in various professional and industry leadership roles, including as Vice Chairman of the Beverage Sector of the Association of Ghana Industries. His professional recognitions include Ghana CSR Practitioner of the Year in 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Economy from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Leicester.

The Road Maintenance Trust Fund was established under the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1147), as a corporate body to replace the former Road Fund. The new institution operates under a dedicated Board of Trustees drawn from government, professional associations, traditional authorities, contractors, civil society, and road users. Its operations are subject to parliamentary oversight and independent auditing.

Opoku-Asare expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve, pledging to prioritize accountability, efficiency, and collaboration in the management of road maintenance resources. He is expected to bring a long-term and sustainable approach to road maintenance, with emphasis on ensuring that public resources are used efficiently and responsibly. The Board comprises representatives from government institutions, professional bodies, traditional authorities, civil society, and road users.

The 15-member Board of Trustees includes Mr. Courage Kwabena Barlon, Administrator of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund, and Ing. Samuel Kwasi Akuaku, Chief Director of the Ministry of Roads and Highways. Other members are from the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, and traditional authorities. Opoku-Asare's appointment is expected to enhance the management of road maintenance resources in Ghana.

Key points

• President John Dramani Mahama appoints Gabriel Opoku-Asare as Chairman of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Board of Trustees.
• Opoku-Asare has over 20 years of executive experience spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.
• The Road Maintenance Trust Fund operates under a dedicated Board of Trustees drawn from government, professional associations, traditional authorities, contractors, civil society, and road users.