Dr. Godfred Akyea-Darkwah, a road safety expert and CEO of Road Safety and Transportation Consultancies Ltd (RSTC), has praised the John Mahama-led NDC government as the most committed to road safety since Ghana’s independence.
His comments were in support of the newly proposed okada legislation aimed at regulating commercial motorcycle (okada) and tricycle operations in Ghana.
The new framework requires riders to:
• Be at least 25 years old
• Hold a valid national ID and a commercial rider’s license from DVLA
• Pass a proficiency test (oral, theory, and eye exams)
• Undergo training and use a unique yellow license plate
• Wear a certified helmet with an identification number
• Provide a helmet for passengers
• Join a recognized riders’ union
• Obey all traffic laws
Dr. Akyea-Darkwah, who was once opposed to okada, now supports its regulation, stating that it cannot be banned entirely.
He emphasized the importance of the age limit (25+) due to maturity concerns and added that stricter regulations—such as banning children as passengers, preventing overloading, and increasing surveillance with cameras—should be included.
He recalled that in 2015, under the NDC, about 50,000 GPRTU drivers were trained, resulting in a significant reduction in accidents and injuries.
In contrast, he claims the previous administration failed to replicate this success.
He urged both stakeholders and riders to adhere strictly to the new legislation, noting that most road accidents stem from human error and that advanced driver training is key to improving road safety.
