It appears legalisation of commercial motorbike operations popularly known as ‘Okada’ is a major policy initiative by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for the 2024 general election, former President John Dramani Mahama.
This is because Mr. Mahama has assured the Okada Riders Association that the NDC has incorporated the legalisation of Okada services into its 2024 manifesto.
The NDC flagbearer made the announcement at a durbar reportedly organised by the Okada riders in Ashaiman near Tema in the Greater Accra Region.
It will be recalled that former President Mahama promised to legalise the Okada business should he win the 2020 general election.
Even though the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and all well-meaning Ghanaians kicked against legalising Okada for commercial purposes due to the high danger it poses to commuters, Mr. Mahama insisted it was a way of getting jobs for the youth.
The former President has now reinforced his 2020 promised, announcing his intention to set up an electric motorbike assembling plant if elected president.
According to him, these electricity-powered motorbikes will replace the existing fuel-powered engines presently used for commercial activity.
He said the electric-powered bikes when successfully rolled out, will reduce the cost involved in using ‘Okada’ and tricycles for transport.
“The good news is that I have spoken with two companies, they are going to open an assembling plant for electric motorbikes. That will be given out on hire purchase, work and pay, then you will pay in bits. Such motors don’t consume petrol; the battery will be charged down.
“When you ride and your battery falls, you can visit the exchange battery centre and then the battery will be taken out and replaced with a new one. You pay a small fee and then you continue with your work,” Mr. Mahama explained.
He criticised the current government for failing to fulfil its promise of replacing motorbikes with cars even though the NDC in 2020, encouraged the Okada riders to reject NPP’s promise of providing cars to them.
“We have in our manifesto that we will legalise Okada, but we lost the elections and so that promise was not fulfilled. Our opponents objected to it, claiming Okada activities if operationalised will cause accidents.
“They instead promised to take your motorbikes and replace them with cars. Is that not what you were promised? Have you received the cars? It turned 419, we all know that this government is only good at telling lies,” former President Mahama stated.
Unemployment rate
Mr. Mahama also expressed his concerns regarding the nation’s unemployment rate since his departure from office in 2016.
“The unemployment rate was 8.5% when I left office in 2016, now it’s 14.7% under Akufo-Addo-Bawumia’s government. If you were not engaged in this business, the over 1.7 million something engaged in Okada, would have been part of the unemployed, if your business was abolished, the unemployment rate would have jumped higher to 25%.
“In East Africa, they have legalised it and they are working nicely. We can also legalise it, and regulate it in safety and security. When we assume power, we will legalise it. We have riding instructors, so the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) will go to the regions to train you on how to ride safely,” he assured.
The NDC flagbearer encouraged motorbike riders to adhere to the regulations that will be enforced under the forthcoming NDC administration.
“I’m pleading with you, when we legalise it, you have to follow the rules, and the passenger is also paramount. We will also assist those who don’t have a license to get a license,” he told the Okada riders.
The President of the Okada Riders Association Mohammed Tijani commended the former President for sticking to his pledge to legalise the business.
He said the riders are ready to comply with all the regulations to make the plan a success.
