The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has constituted a 13-member committee to make consultation to aid the review of 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 legalisation and regulation of commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations in Ghana.
This move signals a potential shift in government policy on Okada operations, which have been a contentious issue due to concerns over road safety and the economic benefits they offer.
The outcome of the committee’s review could have significant implications for transport policy and urban mobility in the country.
Speaking to the media Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the Minister indicated that the amendment of the regulation has become necessary to pave way for Ghanaian youth who want to earn a living from the operation of Okada to do so.
“We are looking within a period of three weeks for them to do all the stakeholder consultations for them to bring all the ideas and suggestions that will facilitate the amendment of the L.I. 2180 so that we will get our young ones who are desirous to use motorcycles and tricycles to earn a living engage in that enterprise,” he stated.
According to Nikpe, Ghana’s legislation is going to be different from that of Rwanda where they went to study from their practice.
He says the law would be made to suit the conditions of Ghana with recourse to the best practices being operated in the East African country.
The Minister has assured that the government was going to provide what the citizens want regarding the legalisation of Okada, the reason a committee has been tasked to look at the issue.
“We are not here to compare our legislation to any other country. What we did was to go and learn some best practices that has guided them in their operations and we’ll amend our laws to suit the Ghanaian condition so it might not be exactly what is happening in Rwanda but it will be a true reflection of what Ghanaians want.”
With additional files from Deborah Mensah
