The deceased has been identified as Kweku Shadrach. The second victim, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for emergency treatment.

The incident occurred at Dadieso Junction, a suburb of Awutu Bereku, along the Awutu Bereku–Bontrase road in the Awutu Senya West District.

Two okada riders reportedly collided at the junction. Moments later, a tipper truck, said to be speeding, ran into both riders, causing severe injuries.

Speaking to Adom News, an eyewitness, Isaac Appiah, said the impact of the crash was devastating, leaving one rider dead on the spot while the other sustained life-threatening injuries.

Residents who gathered at the scene expressed deep concern about the increasing number of accidents involving tipper trucks in the area.

They accused some drivers of reckless driving and called on authorities to step up enforcement to prevent further loss of life.

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The Public Relations Officer of the association, Solomon Akpanaba, said the group is ready to address public concerns about indiscipline on the roads once the sector becomes fully regulated.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Friday, December 12, Akpanaba admitted that failure by some riders to obey traffic lights and road regulations has been a major source of complaints from the public.

“It is a challenge to us. Once the system is regularised, we know these are the complaints Ghanaians have against us, and these are genuine complaints. We see them happening,” he said.

He explained that under the new law, rider unions will be central to enforcing discipline, with leaders empowered to sanction members who flout traffic regulations.

“We are very sure that if we are given the mandate to discipline them, as they are asked to work under unions, their leaders will make discipline their key mandate and ensure order among members,” Akpanaba stated.

He added that riders who consistently disobey the rules could face severe sanctions, including suspension or expulsion from their unions.

“Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations we give them could mean asking them to stay home, sacking them from the station, or removing them entirely from the union,” he said.

The Road Traffic Amendment Bill, 2025, is expected to enhance road safety, streamline road transport operations and create employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. The law also introduces tighter regulations, including a revised alcohol concentration limit for drivers and stiffer penalties for traffic offenders.

Presenting the bill in Parliament, Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe Bukari said the reforms are aimed at sanitising road transport services and ensuring safer and more efficient use of roads across the country.

The age limit qualification for okada riders has now been reduced from 25 to 21 years as part of preparations for legislation to legalise commercial motor riding in Ghana.

The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, explained that he has prepared a memo for Cabinet approval in that regard.

This, he said, follows public concerns about the initial age requirement, which was set at 25.

Currently, commercial bus and taxi drivers are required to be at least 25 years old to qualify for a commercial driving licence.

In line with that, the Ministry of Transport had initially proposed the same age limit for commercial motor riders in its proposal to legalise okada operations.

However, the Association of Motor Riders raised concerns that the 25-year age limit would deny many of their members the opportunity to obtain a commercial riding licence.

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This provision, which prohibits operations without membership in a recognised union and sets the minimum age for riders at 25, is part of a new Legislative Instrument (LI) being drafted to amend the existing Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2180).

Speaking at a national stakeholder consultation in Accra on Monday on the draft LI 2180, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, said the government was introducing a new licensing regime to enhance the monitoring of commercial motorcycles and tricycles and ensure that operators meet the necessary competency standards.

“Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of the riders and passengers. Therefore, some provisions in the regulations will cover the mandatory use of helmets, periodic inspections and rider training,” Mr Nikpe said at the meeting, which was the first in a series of nationwide consultations to review LI 2180 and pave the way for the official operationalisation of okada, a thriving business among the youth.

The consultative meeting brought together representatives from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the association of okada riders, heads of relevant agencies and departments, industry practitioners, civil society organisations and transport operators.

Proposed provisions

“A person shall not ride or operate a commercial motorcycle or tricycle unless that person is employed by or belongs to a licensed commercial motorcycle or tricycle transport union,” the proposed regulations state.

Anyone who flouts this provision, once it becomes law, by operating “a motorcycle or tricycle for fare-paying passenger services in contravention of sub-regulation (1) commits an offence and is liable to pay a fine of 100 penalty units or face a term of imprisonment or both”.

Background

Motorcycles and tricycles have become a crucial part of Ghana’s transport ecosystem over the past decade. They are especially useful for last-mile journeys and in areas where traditional para-transit vehicles (trotros) and taxis find it difficult to operate.

In some urban centres, particularly in the northern part of the country, motorcycles and tricycles have virtually replaced traditional public transport vehicles.

However, as their popularity has surged, so have the challenges associated with their use. The Transport Minister noted that there has been a sharp increase in road traffic crashes and fatalities involving these vehicles. He also cited concerns over safety regulations, disregard for traffic laws, and the need for a structured governance system for the sector.

Committee

Since the 2016 electioneering period, former President John Dramani Mahama pledged to implement effective regulations for the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles to improve safety, job security, and rider welfare.

Last month, the Minister of Transport constituted a 13-member committee made up of representatives from the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the National Road Safety Authority. The committee is chaired by the Ministry of Transport.

The committee was tasked with developing a draft regulatory framework for the use of motorcycles and tricycles for fare-paying passenger services, with a focus on safety, inclusivity, and innovation.

Following several engagements, the committee developed a draft framework which was presented to stakeholders at Monday’s meeting.

Purpose

Mr Nikpe said the stakeholder consultation aimed to gather grassroots input to refine the regulations under development. He urged participants to discuss the issues dispassionately and recommend practical measures for adoption and implementation.

“Through this dialogue, we hope to develop a comprehensive and robust regulatory framework that will stand the test of time for the consideration of Parliament,” he stated.

Other provisions

The draft regulatory framework proposes that a person is qualified to engage in commercial motorcycle or tricycle operations only if registered under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) as a limited liability company, partnership, union, society, cooperative, or similar association.

The Head of Road Transport Services at the Ministry of Transport, Daniel Essel, who presented the framework, explained that an operator must have a physical presence in at least eight administrative regions and maintain a minimum fleet of 50 in each region—or as determined by the regulatory authority in consultation with the Minister of Transport.

Operators must also adopt a standard dress code approved by the regulatory authority and meet other conditions prescribed by the DVLA and district assemblies.

Riders must obtain and renew a licence every two years, while commercial motorcycle or tricycle unions must renew their licences annually and comply with a code of conduct approved by the Minister.

Unions are also required to organise annual re-training or refresher courses for their riders in consultation with the regulatory authority, and all registered members must be enrolled on an electronic database.

District assemblies

The regulation empowers district assemblies to issue permits for commercial motorcycle or tricycle unions to operate in their jurisdictions, subject to the payment of a prescribed fee and fulfilment of specific conditions.

Assemblies are expected to designate or approve terminals and stands in their localities.

Mr Essel said that unions must promptly investigate and maintain records of any violations of the code of conduct, with penalties applicable for breaches.

Riders

To qualify as a commercial rider, applicants must:

• Be at least 25 years old

• Possess a valid National Identification Card

• Pass a commercial motorcycle/tricycle proficiency test, oral and theoretical tests, and an eye test

• Complete training based on the approved syllabus and manual

Upon qualification, riders will be assigned a distinctive yellow licence plate with black lettering. They must wear a certified helmet with a unique number at the back and provide a certified helmet for pillion riders. Riders are also required to comply with all traffic laws and speed limits.

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Speaking to members of the Tricycle Operators Association in Koforidua, Amaliba announced plans to train all riders on road safety and enforce the use of uniforms and helmets before the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) issues specialized license plates for their motorcycles.

“The legalization will come with some restrictions. It will not be a free-for-all as it is now. We will provide road safety training because some of you start riding without any knowledge of the rules,” he stated.

He added that discussions are ongoing to establish unions for rider registration to enhance regulation and accountability.

“We will introduce a uniform and a designated helmet for you. The DVLA will then issue a special number plate and train you on how to ride properly. The police will begin arresting those who fail to comply with road traffic regulations,” he warned.

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According to the NDC, Okada riders are indeed Ghanaians with the same rights as any other individuals conducting lawful business in the country.

NDC Zongo Caucus spokesperson Naziru Mohammed refuted the NPP’s claims during an interview on Accra FM on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Mohammed said Okada riders significantly contribute to Ghana’s socio-economic development therefore their businesses should be regularized.

He mentioned former President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge to regularize Okada activities if elected in the December 7 general elections.

“Former President Mahama has committed to regularizing the activities of Okada riders, recognizing their vital role in our economy,” Mohammed stated.

Comparing Okada riders and other professions that face hazards, such as drivers, pilots, and train operators, Mohammed questioned why Okada riders should be singled out for causing accidents.

He stressed that, the Okada business is thriving and should be regulated to create job opportunities for the country’s unemployed youth.

He called for the legalization and integration of Okada riders into Ghana’s socio-economic framework, asserting that proper regulation would help minimize road hazards.

“The need to legalize and integrate the activities of these Ghanaians into our socio-economic development is clear. Regulation will ensure they follow rules that minimize road hazards,” he added.

This debate comes as the country prepares for the upcoming elections, with differing views on managing the burgeoning Okada industry.

The NDC’s stance underscores the party’s commitment to addressing unemployment and enhancing economic participation among Ghanaian youth.

Mohammed noted that, when former President Mahama left office in 2016, the unemployment rate was 8 percent, which has since risen to 17.5 percent under the administration of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s flagbearer.

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Their demand according to them is borne out of the fact that the business has become a source of income for many Ghanaian youth.

The General Secretary, Abdul Razak, has said they can therefore no longer withstand frequent harassments from law enforcement officers.

“We call on the government to legalize our operations. In the last two weeks or so our vice president went to speak about the vision he has for the country and we did not hear any information about us. That is the reason why we are also calling on the government to legalize our operations.

“When you look at the country right now, the way this job has created jobs for the youth, it is really helping the youth with their daily bread. So that is the reason why we say that if the government legalises this operation and we put law into order it will help the youth to put something on the table,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Citi News.

Meanwhile, the Association has said they will rescind their decision if any political party promises to legalize their operations when voted into power.

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Michael Kofi Owusu explained that, each time they purchase fuel, they already pay an amount of 40 pesewas per gallon. Therefore, the new tax would add to their tax burden, effectively doubling it.

Speaking on JoyNews on February 1, Mr Owusu criticised the government for what he perceived as unfair treatment towards them by introducing the emission tax.

“Government is not fair to us, the fairness we are talking about is that already there is some ten per cent we pay when we go to the pump, are you going to abolish it or it will still be there and still maintain the annual levy?

“Do we have a daily levy for pollution and annual tax as well? Every day we buy fuel which means we are paying 40 pesewas per gallon. I cannot use one gallon to work the whole day so it means that the government is taking more than GH₵2.00 from me. “ Mr Owusu stated.

The President of the Association emphasised the financial impact on Okada riders, adding that they already pay taxes at the end of each year, and the introduction of the emissions tax would further burden them financially.

He expressed disappointment with the government’s approach to taxation, especially exacerbating their financial challenges through double taxation.

“I’m paying my insurance and that is not the only amount a person [Okada rider] who is using a motorbike is going to be paying every year. He is also going to pay his insurance, pay his roadworks and other things. When they call us, we will be able to tell them that no, this is too much for them. Let’s do it this way,” he said.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced the commencement of the implementation of the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112) on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

According to them, the Act will impose a levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on internal combustion engine vehicles.

The group has touted the proposed policy as a game changer.

In a statement, the Association said the policy will go a long way to benefit the unemployed.

“Our enthusiasm for this 24-HOUR ECONOMY is like how a team of footballers will feel when a strategy is put in place for all members of the team to be playing at the same time simultaneously.

“We have noticed that the 24-hour economy will be a solution by itself to all the challenges of our entire membership and their family, as well as our customers and dealers of motor vehicles and spare parts dealers,” the statement read in parts.

The Association also claimed mechanics and vulcanizers have also expressed interest in the policy.

“This will help us to save money as we will have a choice of time to do business conveniently and also maximize gains with no fear of security challenges as the case is now,” the statement added.

Mr Mahama has announced the implementation of a 24-hour economy to revive Ghana’s ailing economy if voted as president in 2024.

He has explained that, this policy will address the pressing issue of Ghanaian youth embarking on perilous journeys across the Sahara and the Mediterranean in search of better opportunities in Europe.

But the policy has been criticised with many questioning its feasibility.

Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said Mr Mahama lacks an understanding of the policy he is promising Ghanaians.

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Read the full statement below:

OKADA RIDERS FOR 24 HOUR ECONOMY

Ladies and gentlemen from the media fraternity, we salute you for your commitment to your social responsibilities such as projecting the voice of the voiceless as in our case.

We have heard of the intention of the NDC to change our current intermittent economy to a 24-HOUR ECONOMY when they come to power.

Our understanding of the unprecedented substitution from the current economy to the 24-HOUR ECONOMY is that, our economy will no longer slow down nor come to a halt due to the direction of the sun.

Business as well as service delivery, to continue irrespective of sunrise or sunset.

We have noticed that the 24-HOUR ECONOMY will be a solution by itself to all the challenges of our entire membership and their family, as well as our customers and dealers of motor vehicles and spare parts dealers.

The mechanics and vulcanizers have started showing interest in the conversation, leading to such a fantastic idea of JOBS FOR ALL, AT ALL TIMES.

Ladies and gentlemen, our enthusiasm for this 24-HOUR ECONOMY is like how a team of footballers will feel when a strategy is put in place for all members of the team to be playing at the same time simultaneously.

This will help us to save money as we will have a choice of time to do business conveniently and also maximize gains with no fear of security challenges as the case is now.

Speaking at a Border Security and Management Sensitization engagement held at Buko in the Bono region, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), David Odoi Kpobi, alleged that, some motor riders work with human trafficking syndicates and move unknowing victims to nearby countries.

According to him, the riders move through illegal routes to avoid detection by Immigration Service officers stationed at borders.

DIS Kpobi expressed concern about how human trafficking was reemerging in the Jaman North district, which shares a border with Ivory Coast and charged the public to be alert.

The programme organized by GIS and the Department of Social Welfare is aimed at strengthening border management and security to help reduce cross-border activity.

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With no immediate hope for the on-lease vehicles, the government promised to, in place of legalisation, present the riders with another option.

Particularly, riders at Ashaiman and its environs are demanding that the government institutes a system for the registration of motorbikes.

Proper regulation and directives are what the riders are calling for, to bring dignity to their profession.

Some of the riders have explained to Adom News that the absence of an actual directive for registering the business is giving the police room to take unnecessary advantage of them.

“Now that election is over, the government should help us register. This will help us identify the members with permits. Police officers disturb us, they demand huge monies from us ranging from GH¢200.00 to GH¢500.00,” Moses, a rider noted.

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Another rider, who spoke to Adom News, Daniel, said unemployment is a bitter pill, adding that the government must simply support their efforts by honouring their demands.

Prior to the December 7 general election, the executives of the New Patriotic Party met with Okada riders to reiterate their willingness to support their hustle.