Transport Minister forms 13-member committee to review ‘Okada’ ban

The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has established a 13-member committee tasked with reviewing Section 128 (1), (2), and (3) of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180), which currently bans the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles, commonly referred to as ‘Okada.’

The committee will engage in discussions, gather data, and analyze best practices to recommend amendments to the road traffic regulations. Their goal is to address safety concerns while promoting the economic benefits of ‘Okada’ operations.

The committee has been given three weeks to assess the regulation and provide recommendations on the potential legalization and regulation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in Ghana.

Speaking at the event, the Minister urged the committee to focus on two key principles: safety and inclusivity, as well as innovation, to ensure the safe commercialization of 'Okada.'

“Today, we embark on a journey to create safe use of motorcycles and tricycles for commercial purposes in Ghana. The inter-agency committee being inaugurated today will review the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180) and propose amendments, including operational guidelines for the effective implementation of commercial motorcycle and tricycle use,” he stated.

The committee’s review could have significant implications for transport policy and urban mobility in Ghana, signaling a potential shift in government policy on ‘Okada’ operations, a topic that has been controversial due to concerns over road safety and the economic opportunities they provide.