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Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress and Former President John Dramani Mahama has announced his intentions as part of his campaign promises to legalize the commercial use of motorcycles popularly known as Okada in Ghana.
In order to reduce the rate of accidents, Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulation 2012 (L.I.2180) was passed against the use of motorbikes and tricycles for commercial purpose in any form, aside courier and delivery services.
“Okada is a reality, it has come to stay, you cant stop it and so I have suggested and I say when we come into office we will legalize okada but we will regulate and we will give them training so that they are able to do their business in a safe manner without causing the lives of people. We must obey all the traffic regulations in other that they be allowed to pursue their profession” Mr. Mahama declared in an address to the chiefs and people of Kpando in the Volta Region.
However, in an interview on Citi Eye Witness News, the Chairman of Parliament Road and Transport Committee, Hon. Samuel Ayeh-Paye argues that a committee has been organized already to discuss the petition on the amendment of the regulation.
He also added that that various factors must be taken into consideration before the amendment of the law against the commercial use of Okada in the country.
“the ministry of Transport has sent a delegation to Uganda and Kenya, other countries where Okada is being operated to study the system and see how we can implement and legalize without having any difficulty. And consultation is seriously going on with the stakeholders in the transport industry to see how best we can legalize okada” Said Hon. Samuel Ayeh-Paye.
In view of all considerations, the police have urged the government to lay a solid foundation before attempting to review the law.
