Every election year in Ghana usually comes with one “hanging” promise which will be the ultimate grounds for jabs from opponents. In 2016, it was the war of “free SHS” and how it will be delivered. This year it’s the legalization of motorbikes popularly known as okada for commercial and regular purposes.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has promised to legalize and regulate its use in the country should it be given the nod in the forthcoming general elections.
Flagbearer of the party, John Dramani Mahama explained that the party recognizes the benefits of the “okada” business to the numerous families that depend on it for survival thus, legalizing and regulating it is a step in the right direction to create jobs for the masses.
The campaign promise has been described by most people as populist which will only cause more harm than good and simply another motive to amass votes. Statistics from the National Road Safety Authority show that a total of 732 deaths were recorded between January to December 2019 whereas between January to August 2020, a total of 643 deaths have been recorded on motorcycle accidents.
The Bureau for Public Safety among other Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) has demanded the details of how motorcycles will be commercialized and regulated.
Earlier in January this year, Head of the Accident, Emergency and Orthopedic Department at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Fredrick Kwarteng called for the ban on the use of motorcycles in Ghana. His call for the ban was based on the 58 accident victims recorded in the hospital between December 21, 2019 and January 1, 2020. According to Kwarteng, the commercialization of okada has caused victims to their legs, arms, brains, their entire social lives and in some cases lose their lives as a result.
Meanwhile in 2012, Section 128 (1) of the Road and Traffic Regulations states: “The licensing authority shall not register a motorcycle to carry a fare-paying passenger.” Ironically, this Legislative Instrument (LI) makes it an offence to use motorcycles and tricycles for commercial purposes was passed during former President Mahama’s administration.
Despite the widespread criticisms about the policy, the NDC has defended its position on adopting the policy, giving various reasons including;
- Shops for bike accessories
- Import duties in government revenue
- Daily return sales to owners
- Income to operators and mechanics
- Income to government through licensing regime regulation (DVLA)
- Ease of doing local business (fast delivery)
- A possible avenue for a bike manufacturing plant
While the NDC is promising to regularize and commercialize the use of okada, the governing New Patriotic (NPP) says it has initiated talks to legalize its use hence the NDC’s promises are needless.
This begs the question, is this another move for these two political factions to amass votes or indeed it is meant to ease the burden of the people?
Again, how effective will the regulations be, should it be legalized in the long run considering the current death toll recorded between this year and last year? Well, we live to witness the developments as tension build towards upcoming general elections.
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I’m Deborah Aba Narkoah. I’m an avid reader, writer and public speaker.
