If you ever wished for a reset that was going to push over the cliff, the nuisance and lawless commercial motorcycles, commonly referred to as Okada, your disappointment is on its way. 

Very soon, they are going to be reset under a new legislative instrument with tighter operational measures governed strictly by law.

Addressing a national stakeholder consultation in Accra earlier this month, the Minister of Transport had Okada on his radar as reports of the meeting hit the front pages of some news outlets. What was his message to the stakeholders?

Legislative Instrument

Referring to the draft Legislative Instrument, LI 2180, the Minister reportedly said that the government was going to introduce a new licensing regime to enhance monitoring of commercial motorcycles and tricycles and ensure that operators met the necessary competency standards required. The implication?  Okada is here to stay.

Despite the glaring indiscipline of Okada operators on our roads and the harm and injuries they have and continue to inflict on drivers and pedestrians, especially in the city, Okada is now being defended as a viable business for the youth. And so, going forward, steps are being taken to keep them under strict legal check and perhaps sanctions rather than ditch them as some might have wished.

According to news reports of April 8, 2025, the priority of the authorities is not at par with that of the many citizens whose lives have been made miserable by Okada riders. Some such operators after causing grave damages and destruction, ran off and vanish into thin air.

The Transport Minister is quoted to have said, during the national stakeholder consultation meeting with stakeholders that the government was going to introduce new measures to enhance the monitoring of commercial motorcycles and tricycles. 

In the process however, he noted that government’s “utmost priority is the safety and welfare of the riders and passengers”. Consequently, he went on to explain how in the new LI which is being drafted to amend the existing Road Traffic Regulations, 2012,  some provisions have been made to cover mandatory use of helmets, periodic inspections and rider training.

Thriving business

Referring to Okada as a thriving business among the youth, he was of the view that the new LI 2180 will pave the way for official operationalisation of Okada business in the country.

Admittedly, the Minister, in his speech acknowledged that the challenges associated with Okada use have surged, saying: “We have witnessed  increasing road traffic crashes and fatalities involving motorcycles and tricycles,” he went on, “there are also concerns over safety regulations, disregard of road traffic laws”.  His conclusion however is that there is a pressing need for a structured approach to governance.

One’s assumption is that the path to “structured governance” is therefore what is being embarked on now with the stakeholder consultations. The consultations, hopefully, will arrive at an adoption and recommendation for Parliament to take steps for the new LI to become full law.

So, as far as Okada is concerned, everything is clear now that steps are being taken to have it moulded and built on support structures that will make its operation as an alternative public transportation while we wait in line for the day of inter-city speed trains and the likes of inner-city trains.

Ours is a beautiful country when it comes to laws. We have well dusted and polished laws in abundance.  However, implementation  and strict enforcement have been our bane. 

One wonders how for a group that have openly been left to operate care-free despite some road traffic regulation, and defied same with impunity can be expected to turn around and tow another enforcement law? 

One can only hope and pray that when the new LI 2180 finally becomes law, it would not be a nine day wonder.  Road users will be looking forward to giving Okada riders a thumbs up when we all line up in traffic to wait patiently for our turn to move.

Okada may be eye sores on our roads but when the new LI comes into force, they are expected to look more decent in their helmets. They may be in hurry to get to their destinations as one waits patiently in the queue for the traffic lights to turn green but with the new LI, they have to be in line and not jump red lights or ride in opposite lanes. 

When the time comes, may they not think that they are on reset approval. That as the fresh new approved public transport service on the block they can flex muscles, knock down driver’s driving mirrors and speed off.

Let the new law, which will reset their operations, set strict abiding principles for them and make examples of the road traffic offenders. Otherwise, we will be back to square one.

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The writer can be contacted via email at vickywirekoandoh@yahoo.com