<<Print>>

NDC Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, who is seeking re-election in the December 7 elections, has pledged to legalize the riding of motorbike for commercial purposes, popularly called okada, in Ghana.

Legalizing okada business is one of the major promises that the former President and the NDC seek to undertake should Ghanaians give them the nod to come back to power.

However, currently a law has been made which bans okada business in the country.

It is therefore in respect of the law that the Ministry of Transport has released a report to tell Ghanaians under whose administration was the law to ban okada business enacted. 

The Ministry of Transport, in a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com, disclosed that Road Traffic Regulation 2012, L.I.2180, was passed by previous NDC administration under the leadership of former President, John Dramani Mahama in 2012 to make the commercial use of motorcycle in the country illegal.

''The Ministry of Transport has taken notice of public debate on the legality of the Okada business. The Ministry therefore wishes to inform the general public'' that ''the law which makes Okada operations illegal, the Road Traffic Regulation 2012, L.I.2180, was passed in 2012 by the then NDC administration under former President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama'', the Ministry's statement read.

It was further established that ''the Akufo-Addo Government, upon assumption of office, sought to assess the implementation of the Road Traffic Regulations, and, in the process, needed to consult stakeholders, industry players and interest groups on the provisions in the law''.

This release is to settle the debate on okada business.

Read full statement below:

STATEMENT ON OKADA OPERATIONS

The Ministry of Transport has taken notice of public debate on the legality of the Okada business. The Ministry therefore wishes to inform the general public on the following:

1. The law which makes Okada operations illegal, the Road Traffic Regulation 2012, L.I.2180, was passed in 2012 by the then NDC administration under former President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.

2. The Akufo-Addo Government, upon assumption of office, sought to assess the implementation of the Road Traffic Regulations, and, in the process, needed to consult stakeholders, industry players and interest groups on the provisions in the law.

3. Accordingly, the Ministry, between March and November 2019, held consultations with various organizations, regional administrations and local authorities at the following venues:

i. Greater Accra Region, Accra – Ghana Shippers' Authority

ii. Volta Region, Ho – RCC Conference Hall

iii. Eastern Region, Koforidua – RCC Conference Hall

iv. Western Region, Takoradi – SSNIT Conference Hall

v. Central Region, Cape Coast – RCC Banquet Hall

vi. Bono Region, Sunyani – University of Ghana Learning Hall

vii. Ashanti Region, Kumasi – GNAT Hall

viii. Upper East, Bolga – RCC Conference Hall

ix. Northern Region, Tamale – Radash Conference Hall

x. Upper West, Wa – Regional Library Conference Hall


The following groups were also part of the consultation exercise:

i. Ghana Institute of Planners

ii. Ghana Automobile Dealers Association

iii. Ghana National Association of Driving Schools

iv. Ghana Association of Driving Instructors

v. National Road Safety Authority

vi. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority

vii. Motor Traffic and Transport Department

viii. Okada Riders Association

ix. Ghana Insurers Association

x. Ghana National Fire Service

xi. National Ambulance Service

xii. Ghana Red Cross Society

xiii. National Disaster Management Organization

xiv. Road Safety Advocates

xv. Transport Unions (GPRTU, GRTCC, PROTOA, etc.), and others

4. In addition, four (4) major hospitals namely Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital were visited to obtain firsthand information on the toll of Okada related injuries on the administration and operations of the health facilities.

5. Consultation was also held with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in November 2019 at the Ghana Journalist Association Press Centre in Accra.

6. The 2nd phase of the consultations is to engage stakeholders in the six (6) newly created regions of Bono East, Ahafo, Western North, Savannah, North East and Oti Regions. Other key interest groups and civil society organizations would also be consulted. They include the following:

i. Center for Democratic Development (CDD)

ii. Danquah Institute,

iii. Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG)

iv. Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC)

v. Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA)

vi. Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA)

vii. And Political Parties

7. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the final stage of the stakeholder engagement is expected to commence in October 2020, and a report presented before Cabinet for consideration.