Courier service operators in Accra are raising concerns after more than 150 riders were arrested in a joint enforcement exercise by the Ghana Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC).
The swoop, carried out earlier this week, targeted riders and dispatch operators alleged to be working without the mandatory courier license. Many of those arrested work with digital ride-hailing and delivery platforms such as Yango, Glovo, and Bolt Food.
Affected riders say the crackdown has left them unable to earn a living, accusing regulators of imposing steep fees without providing the necessary support for compliance.
“Now they say we should pay GH¢1,070 before we can work. If you don’t, you’ll pay GH¢600 as a fine. We are calling on them to reduce the price,” courier operator Daniel Laryea told Citi Business News.
Another rider, Emmanuel Nkebi, argued that digital platforms should be held accountable rather than the individual riders:
“We pay for Yango, so we are like third-party workers. If there’s an issue, they should go after Yango, not us. But instead of holding them accountable, they are coming after us who are working under them.”
Industry analysts note that Ghana’s courier and logistics sector has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by surging e-commerce demand and food delivery services. However, many operators work informally, outside of regulatory oversight.
Responding to the backlash, the PCSRC defended the clampdown as necessary to ensure safety, consumer protection, and fair competition in the industry.
Public Relations and Consumer Manager at the Commission, Edwin Nii Yeboah Burgesson, explained that operators had been given a two-month grace period to register but many failed to comply.
“Because of the delivery services they are offering, the law mandates them to come for that license. Section 10 of the Act makes it a criminal offense to operate delivery services without a license from the Commission,” he stated.
He added that unlicensed operators not only evade taxes but also put consumers at risk by operating outside of regulatory checks.
Meanwhile, some courier associations are calling for dialogue between regulators, digital platforms, and riders to find a middle ground that ensures compliance while safeguarding livelihoods.
The arrests highlight deepening tensions between regulators, platform operators, and gig workers in Ghana’s fast-growing delivery sector, which has become an essential part of the urban economy.
