The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) says it is still unlawful for a person to engage in ‘okada’ business.
The reminder comes days after the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama revealed his intention to introduce electric motorbikes for commercial operations, popularly known as ‘okada’ when elected president.
According to the former President, the electricity-powered motorbikes will replace the existing fuel-powered engines presently used for commercial activity.
Mr. Mahama indicated that the electric-powered bikes when successfully rolled out will reduce the cost involved in using ‘Okada’ and tricycles for transport.
“There are electric motorbikes which run on electricity. Once you charge it at night, you are good to go. It consumes less electricity and it is better than using fuel”, he said.
But the Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ing. David Osafo Adonteng, insists that ‘Okada’ operations remain illegal.
Addressing the issue during the launch of the 2024 Road Safety Easter Campaign, Ing. Adonteng indicated that the current legal provisions prohibit the use of motorcycles and tricycles for commercial purposes.
“As far as the National Road Safety Authority and the Ghana Police Service are concerned, the law is what we are going with and in Ghana, the regulations provide that motorcycles or tricycles cannot be used for commercial purposes. You can only use it for delivery or courier services and that is acceptable by law and that is what we are enforcing”.
“We have recently been engaging some motor riders and some of them have formed some associations and I don’t think it is called Okada Riders Association. We have found a strategy of engaging them, training them, sensitizing them, and we have seen some significant reductions in terms of their contribution to the fatalities stock.”
“If someone says he will regularize their activities or I will accept, let us get there but for now, we are enforcing what has been provided by the Road Traffic Regulations LI 2180,” Ing Adonteng stressed”.
