Former President John Mahama says his government will legalise the commercial operation of motorbikes popularly known as Okada when voted into power in 2021.

According to him, the Okada business has become a means of sustenance for young people who are unemployed.

Addressing people during his tour of Kpando in the Volta Region, he stated that “our law says okada is illegal, but it is a reality it has come to stay and you can’t stop it. So, I say when we come into office, we legalise it but we will regulate it.”

Anyone interest in pursuing an okada business will be trained and also educated to obey all needed traffic regulations, John Mahama added.

Law on commercial motorbike use

On the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes, Section 128 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2180), states: "The licensing authority shall not register a motorcycle to carry a fare-paying passenger."

The NDC flagbearer said legalising the operation will give other youths the opportunity to work and also do their business safely.

Review of the law

Meanwhile, in 2019, the governing NPP said it was reviewing the law banning the commercial operation of motorbikes.

The review of the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012, is to determine whether to amend the law to regularise its operations or maintain its current form and punish offenders.

The Minister of Transport, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah had said that the review had become necessary after Okada operations were increasing due to the non-enforcement of the law.