Some of us are 20 years old with families to feed – Okada riders reject 25 years criterion for licensing

Some riders in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis have vented their frustration with the age eligibility criteria for licensing under the proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Regulation 2012 (L.I 2180).

According to them, the minimum age as defined in the draft legislation is discriminatory and at variance with Ghana’s labour laws.

The Ministry of Transport in a consultative engagement in Accra disclosed that the minimum age for riders who wish to operate a commercial motorcycle or tricycle transport system shall be 25 years. Section 26(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation 2012 (L.I 2180) however, specifies a minimum age of 18 years as eligible for license application.

On the back of this knowledge, and in reference to labour laws, some riders in Sekondi-Takoradi find the proposed age criterion to be problematic. They argue that the provision in respect of age, must be revised, lest it could end a number of young riders in that sector jobless.

“Some of us are 20 years old and have families to feed. Okada work puts food on our tables and helps us care for our loved ones. Setting the minimum age at 25 could push many of us out of business and also increase the rate of unemployment,” one okada rider told Connect FM’s Portia Cudjoe.

“When it comes to election you include persons of 18 years, and yet you want to exclude them from such an opportunity? This is unfair,” another rider stated.

Such has been the reaction of most operators ever since news broke of the draft provisions of the amended regulation. It is expected that the Ministry of Transport will take up such feedback in good faith and respond accordingly.

Motorcycles, as well as tricycles have become an essential part of Ghana’s transport system, especially in areas with limited access to vehicular transportation. However, their growing popularity has also raised safety concerns, prompting the introduction of stricter regulations.

The proposed amendment, according to Transport Ministry is to regularize the operations of commercial motorcycle and tricycle transportation.

Read also: Okada Legislation: Consider non-unionized operators – Safety consultant tells Transport Ministry 

By: Portia Cudjoe

The post Some of us are 20 years old with families to feed – Okada riders reject 25 years criterion for licensing first appeared on 3News.

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