The leadership of the Okada Riders Association is calling for an amendment to the Legislative Instrument that criminalizes their operations as commercial entities.
This push comes in response to reported frequent harassment by police.
The Association is currently gathering data on its members nationwide to strengthen its advocacy for changes to road traffic laws.
Notably, road accidents involving motorcycles accounted for 1.4 percent of all accidents in the first half of 2024.
The leadership of the Okada Riders Association is pushing for an amendment to the Legislative Instrument that currently criminalizes their operations as commercial entities.
This advocacy is driven by frequent harassment from police and the belief that road traffic laws need to be revisited.
The Association is compiling data on its members nationwide to bolster its efforts.
They argue that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) should be held accountable for road accidents, as it issues licenses without adequate rider training.
They believe that better training and certification will significantly reduce road infractions.
Section 128 (1), (2), and (3) of Road Traffic Regulations 2012 LI 2180 bans the use of motorcycles or tricycles, known as ‘Okadas,’ for commercial purposes.
In response, the Association is conducting a two-month data collection exercise, organized into zones, to centralize information about its members.
The President of the Okada Riders Association is optimistic about improving the system once all members are accounted for.
He emphasized the importance of Ghana Card details for issuing Association identification cards and warned that non-compliance with traffic laws will lead to expulsion from the Association.
A disciplinary committee has been established to handle members who violate traffic regulations.
The Okada business is estimated to provide direct income to over 800,000 youth in Ghana.
