Africa-Press – Ghana. Some motorcycle riders, popularly known as ‘Okada’ riders, in the Keta municipality of the Volta Region, have expressed optimism about the government’s efforts to legalise their business to boost the local economy.
They appealed to the government to expedite constitutional reforms to enable the legalisation of the Okada business, which was believed to have helped curb deviant behaviours such as theft, robbery, and drug abuse among young people in the area to manifest.
Seshieme Maxwell, a rider at Vui-Tetekope junction, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that the legalisation of the motorcycle business would enable more riders to work with comfort, move freely and operate without fear or any intimation.
“What l want in particular about the legalisation of the Okada bill is that there must be proper regulations, one Okada man, one or two passengers with helmet on always.”
He said government’s formal submission of a bill to Parliament to legalise commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations has sparked hope among many Okada riders and the bill which was presented by Transport Minister Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, sought to amend the Road Traffic Act 2004 to allow motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles for commercial purposes under a regulated framework.
He mentioned that the key provisions of the proposed law included developing standards for safety gear, and other essential equipment, as well as regulatory measures to ensure safe and organised operations while Parliament was expected to debate and review the proposed amendments in the coming weeks.
“The Okada business has been a significant source of employment for many young people in Keta here, and its legalisation is expected to bring relief to thousands of riders. Even SHS graduates who are yet to further education are also into it.”
Mr Ben Morkporkpor Sedo, another rider, said that the bill when passed, would create more jobs for many unemployed youth who were waiting for better job opportunities to engage in manageable business to prevent them from being idle.
He appealed to the government to as a matter of urgency pass the bill to enable riders to operate freely to boost the economy at various hard-to-reach communities within the municipality where vehicles could not go.
The bill when passed, would repeal or amend relevant sections of the Road Traffic Act and L.I. 2180, which would effectively legalise commercial motorcycle transport under a licensed and regulated system which would also aligns with long-standing calls for the legalisation of Okada, a policy believed to be championed by President John Mahama.
President Mahama his 2020 and 2024 election campaigns, highlighted the role as a major source of youth employment and urging government support rather than criminalisation. had pledged to regulate the sector during
The proposed law is expected to improve road safety and reduce accidents involving motorcycles and tricycles.
Okada riders in Keta were hopeful that the legalisation of their business would bring an end to harassment by law enforcement agencies such as Police and others and also expected to improve the overall transportation system in the area to provide more options for commuters.
The government has assured riders that the legalisation process was underway and would provide a framework for safe and regulated operations while the submission of the bill to the Parliament was seen as a significant step towards the legalisation of Okada business in the country.
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