Consultations on 'okada' legalisation to resume in October – Transport Ministry

The Ministry of Transport says stakeholder consultations on the possible use of motorcycles for commercial purposes “okada” will resume in October this year.

According to the Ministry, the stakeholder engagements started sometime in March 2019 to November 2019.

A statement dated Friday, September 11, said the first consultations involved various organisations such as the Ghana Institute of Planners, National Road Safety Authority, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Motor Traffic and Transport Department, Okada Riders Association, Ghana Insurers Association, Ghana National Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, Ghana Red Cross Society, National Disaster Management Organization, Road Safety Advocates and Transport Unions (GPRTU, GRTCC, PROTOA, etc).

It added that, in addition, four major hospitals namely Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital were visited to obtain first-hand information on the toll of Okada related injuries on the administration and operations of the health facilities.

The announcement by the Transport Ministry comes in the wake of debates occasioned by the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) flagbearer, Mr John Mahama, that he would legalise the okada business should he be voted for come December 2020.

But the statement from the Ministry of Transport indicated that the Akufo-Addo-led administration upon assumption of office, sought to assess the implementation of the Road Traffic Regulations, and, in the process, consulted stakeholders, industry players and interest groups on the provisions in the law.

Subsequently, it said the Ministry, between March and November 2019, held consultations with various organizations, regional administrations and local authorities.

It explained however that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final stage of the stakeholder engagement had been scheduled to commence in October.

It will be recalled that in January this year, the Ministry of Transport told the Parliamentary Select Committee of Roads and Transport that it had commenced a review of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012, L.I. 2180 to make changes and amendments to the existing law.