‘Okada’: The stopgap measure is to regularise it – Kojo Adu-Asare

Former Adentan MP, Kojo Adu-Asare has said government’s decision to legalise the commercialization is in the right direction.

Speaking in an interview on TV3’s New Day, March 19, 2025, he argued that the first step in controlling the indiscriminate ‘Okada’ riding and other issues related to their operations is to legalize it before subsequent measures.

He referenced other African countries which have emulated same including; Rwanda and Benin where riders are trained to observe road and traffic regulations.

“Whether you like it or not the motorbikes are in town. They are riding anyway whether the laws are there or not. The stopgap measure is to ensure that we regularize what we have. Go to Tanzania, Benin, Rwanda they have done it so there is a little bit of orderliness.

“The riders are properly trained to observe the laws and road signs and to observe them when they are given the licenses to operate and that is what we intend to do,” he explained.

According to him, the legalization is only the first step to curb the negative impact associated with ‘Okada’ riders, stressing that government will introduce other transformative measures for railway development.

“This is not like a one stop measure to deal with transport issues. There are railway development issues that will come up, let us move according to our strength.

“After regulariisng Okada, we will be able to control it then other transitions will come in,” he stated.

Read also: Regularising ‘Okada’ is a lazy approach – Dr. Zaato

The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe on Tuesday, March 18 established a 13-member committee to review Section 128 (1), (2), and (3) of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180), which currently prohibits the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles, commonly known as ‘Okada.’

The committee has been given a three week timeline to assess the regulation and make recommendations on the possible legalization and regulation of commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations in Ghana.

The post ‘Okada’: The stopgap measure is to regularise it – Kojo Adu-Asare first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story