Accra records 2,570 ‘Okada’ accidents

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) recorded 2,570 motorbike accidents between January and December last year.

As of the middle of January this year, the department had recorded 36 of such motorbike accidents.

The Accra Central Commander of the department, Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Anderson Fosu–Ackaah, told the Daily Graphic that  it was difficult to tell whether the accidents involved commercial motorbike operators, popularly called Okada.

Challenges

He said the major challenge confronting the police in the fight against the booming Okada business was how to differentiate between a private motorbike user and a commercial one.

“It is difficult knowing which motorbike rider was using the bike for commercial or private use,” he said.

Measures

Mr Fosu-Ackaah said the police had identified a number of operating joints for the Okada riders and would take appropriate steps to halt the practice.

He mentioned Odorkor, Abossey Okai, Circle, Railways, Ghana Post and the central business district of Accra as areas where many of them operated.

He, however, said because of the mobility of the riders, they shift locations from time to time, as well as move away from their locations upon seeing the police approach.

Advice

Mr Fosu-Ackaah advised members of the public to desist from patronising the Okada business because it was risky.

Besides, he said, the operation was not covered by law.