The Director General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has announced that a revised Road Regulations Act (LI 2180), which includes provisions to legalise the commercial use of motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, will soon be laid before Parliament.
Mr. Amaliba revealed that the Legislative Instrument (LI) is in its final stages at the Attorney General’s Department and will soon be submitted for parliamentary approval.
“The Attorney General’s Department is currently finalising it, and it will soon be presented to Parliament,” he stated, noting that the amendment seeks to regulate and enhance road safety for Okada operators.
The proposal he mentioned, also includes provisions contributed by the Ghana Standards Authority, specifically focused on safety gear such as helmets for riders.
Mr. Amaliba acknowledged the increasing reliance on motorcycles for transportation in Ghana despite their current illegal status for commercial use.
He argued that formalising Okada operations could improve safety while creating jobs for the youth.
“At the moment, Okada is illegal in Ghana for commercial purposes. So, if it has become a popular mode of transport, then our laws should not continue to say it is illegal.We believe we can harmonise Okada operations to make them safer and also create jobs for the youth.”
