Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie, The Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo in the Greater Accra Region, has expressed joy following the passage of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2025, that legalized the commercial use of motorcycles—popularly known as Okada—in Ghana.
Addressing Journalists in Parliament shortly after the Bill was approved on Thursday, December 10, 2025, Hon. Ashie said the development marks a major victory not only for the governing party but, more importantly, for the young people in his constituency whose livelihoods depend on motorcycle transport services.
“I am really excited. This is great news for me and great news for my constituents. You will recall that this Okada business started largely in my constituency. Many of the youth who initially had nothing to do found work through Okada,” he said.
According to the MP, the Okada trade had created opportunities for unemployed young men, especially those with skills in riding, motor repairs, and tricycle repairs. However, the activity suffered a major setback when the previous administration outlawed commercial motorcycle operations.
“The decision by the New Patriotic Party government to outlaw Okada was a wrong move. It pushed many young men back into idleness, and as we say, ‘the devil finds work for the idle hand,’” he noted.
Hon. Ashie argued that instead of a ban, the prudent approach should have been to regulate the sector to make operations safer and more orderly. He recalled the governing party’s campaign promise to legalize Okada, explaining that today’s parliamentary approval fulfills that commitment.
“We assured the people of Ghana that when we come to power, we will legalize Okada so they can ply their trade without fear of being chased by the police. Today, Parliament has passed the Bill, and we are only waiting for the President’s assent,” he said.
The MP also highlighted how fear of arrest previously pushed Okada riders into unsafe behaviors on the road.
“Most of these young men rode lawlessly because of fear. At traffic lights, some were afraid to stop because they thought the police would seize their keys. This made them run red lights and sometimes caused accidents. It wasn’t because they didn’t want to obey regulations—it was fear.”
He believes that with legalization and proper regulation, safety will significantly improve.
The new regulatory framework, he explained, will involve mandatory road safety training, adherence to traffic rules, identifiable vests and numbering systems, and a new registration process for commercial riders. These measures, he said, will build a reliable database of operators and promote responsible conduct.
“When I sit behind an Okada rider because I’m late for Parliament, I want to feel safe knowing he won’t panic and ride carelessly because of the police. Legalization will ensure that.”
Hon. Ashie announced plans to educate riders in his constituency about the new law. He intends to circulate information on constituency social media platforms and organize a forum for all Okada operators to guide them on the next steps.
“Information is key. Knowledge is power. We will mobilize and organize them under one umbrella. This will make monitoring easier and ensure they understand their new modus operandi. This is a good start, and I will make sure they are well organized as we move forward,” he assured.
The Road Traffic Amendment Bill now awaits presidential assent to become law. Once signed, Ghana will officially recognize commercial motorcycle transport as a legal business, paving the way for full regulation and integration into the country’s public transport system.
