[ 2021-02-24 ]

We cannot legalise okada – Transport Minister-designate
Transport Minister-designate, Kwasi Ofori Asiamah,
has reiterated that the government will not be
legalising the commercial use of motorcycles
popularly known as okada.

Speaking at the Appointments Committee vetting he
stated that the current conditions pertaining to
traffic regulations and enforcements do not give
room for okadas to operate.

“We have an issue of enforcement in this country
and based on what is pertaining on the ground
today it will be difficult for me to lead the
legalisation of okada,” Mr Asiamah said.

He added that the number of motorcycle accidents
and their fatalities have increased, thus, it will
be unwise to legalise okada when issues with road
traffic regulation have not yet been addressed.



Mr Asaiamah said, “Mr Chairman in 2010 the
people who died out of motorcycles accidents was
210. The 2020 figures, out of 250,000 who died
from road accidents, 1050 is as a result of
motorcycles.”

Nevertheless, he added that the government might
consider a stakeholder conversation if traffic
regulations and its enforcement improves
significantly.

“Thankfully the police are trying to modernise
their system of traffic control. If by tomorrow
the condition in terms of traffic management, in
terms of enforcing regulations becomes conducive,
why not? We will assess it.”

In August 2020, conversations on legalising okada
were rife after then NDC Flagbearer John Mahama
promised that his government will legalise the
okada if voted into power in 2021.

According to him, the Okada business had become a
means of sustenance for young people who are
unemployed.

His comments generated mixed reactions from
Ghanaians with one section throwing their support
behind it while another called for the
implementation of the law banning the okada
operation.

Senior Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil
added his voice to the section of the public that
was advocating for the legalisation of the
commercial use of motorbikes.

He said if the government is not ready to
“legalise and properly regulate this important
transport and economically viable sub-sector, then
they are not prepared to run a country like
Ghana”.

But, the Motor Transport and Traffic Department,
MTTD, said it will be challenging to regulate the
commercial use of motorbikes.



Speaking to JoyNews, Head of Research and
Programmes at the MTTD Alexander Obeng said that
there are other factors to consider including the
training of police personnel to enforce the law,
deployment and others.

Transport Consultant and road safety expert Cecil
Gabrah also warned against the use of
regularisation of the okada business to lure the
youth for votes.

“The risk involved is too high. In Accra alone
we have a lot of very fatal cases. Speak to Korle
Bu Teaching and 37 Military Hospital and they will
give you the daily statistics of fatalities,” he
said.

Mr Asiamah, at the time, also stated that the
government had begun stakeholder consultations to
decide on whether to review the law banning the
commercial use of motorcycles or implement tighter
restrictions.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had later said
that the Akufo-Addo administration will not
legalise what he describes as “risky
business”.

He assured the riders of a better alternative of
empowering them to purchase brand new cars
assembled in the country to engage in a much safer
venture.

Speaking at the Committee meeting, the Transport
Minister-designate said the government is sticking
to Dr Bawumia’s statement adding that “with
the condition pertaining today it will not be
possible for us to legalise okada.”

Source - Joyfm

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