Police Service proposes schools to train ‘Okada’ riders

• Posted on March 28, 2019
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

The Ghana Police Service has called on authorities to critically lay a solid foundation before attempting to review the law that forbids the use of motorcycles – popularly referred to as ‘okada’ – for commercial purposes.

According to the Service, key steps such as the establishment of an institution to train and equip motorcycle riders with the requisite road safety regulation will be an integral part towards checking what seems to be a ‘danger.’

Speaking on Citi TV‘s ‘The Point of View,’ Superintendent Dr. Samuel Sasu Mensah, a staff and programme officer, of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), maintained that such a move would go a long way to addressing this source of worry.

“We should have a school to train the motor riders because riding a motorcycle is not like driving a vehicle. We need special skills and competencies on how to ride a motor bicycle. So we need to set up schools to train them well to respect traffic rules and regulations and ply within the rigours of the law. The right things ought to be put in place before we consider reviewing the ban,” he added.

Enforcement of ‘okada’ law difficult

Supt. Mensah, who strongly stated that the Service had not reneged on its efforts in clamping down on offenders, also admitted that the Police Service is saddled with the arduous task of controlling the illegal operators due to high patronage.

He, therefore, recommended a broad stakeholder deliberation.

“There are challenges with enforcement. That is why the issue of whether to review or not to review. It is not as if we have stopped enforcing the law. But what we are saying is that, the patronage is huge. So the issue is whether the laws are relevant or not. There is a need for stakeholder consultation. We should not dilly and dally about the whole issue and address the basic enforcement issues.”

Ban on ‘okada’

The number of crashes involving motorbikes had gone up astronomically. In 2018 alone, there were 3,903 motorcycle accidents recorded.

Stakeholder consultations have already begun for a possible review of the Road Traffic Regulations, 128, 2012 which does not allow the use of motorcycles or tricycles for commercial purposes aside courier and delivery service.

Per the regulations, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, DVLA cannot register a motorcycle or tricycle for commercial use.

Also, the riders cannot take money from a passenger as fare for a ride.

Anyone who is found liable faces up to 30 days in prison or a fine of not more than 25 penalty units

Although the law exists, the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes has become one of the most popular means of transport in Ghana.