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As part of the efforts to streamline the operations of commercial motorcycle and tricycle services, popularly known as okada, the Government of Ghana has proposed a new set of rules under a draft amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180). The proposed changes, announced during a national stakeholder consultation in Accra on April 7, 2025, include a minimum age requirement of 25 years for all okada operators, among several other stringent conditions.
According to the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the initiative aims to improve the safety and professionalism within the rapidly growing okada sector. He emphasized that commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators must now belong to a recognized union or be employed by a licensed company before they are legally allowed to operate.
“Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of the riders and passengers,” the minister stated. He added that the new licensing regime will include mandatory helmet use, periodic vehicle inspections, and compulsory rider training programs to ensure only competent individuals offer such services.
The draft legislation stipulates that any individual operating a commercial motorcycle or tricycle without being affiliated with a licensed union will face severe penalties, including a fine of 100 penalty units, imprisonment, or both. The reforms also propose that unions must be officially incorporated under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), and must have a physical presence in at least eight administrative regions with a minimum fleet of 50 motorcycles or tricycles per region.
The rules further mandate that commercial riders must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and must pass a proficiency test, theoretical and oral assessments, and an eye test. Riders will be required to wear a certified helmet with a unique number displayed on the back, while also providing a protective helmet for their passengers.
Additional requirements include annual refresher courses organized by the unions in partnership with regulatory authorities, and a digitized database to register all riders under each union. A standard dress code will also be implemented to promote identification and compliance.
The initiative comes in response to a growing concern over rising road accidents involving motorcycles and tricycles, and the general disregard for traffic laws among some operators. The Transport Minister noted that while okada services have become vital for last-mile transportation, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, the sector’s lack of regulation poses safety risks to both riders and passengers.
The draft Legislative Instrument was developed by a 13-member committee set up by the Ministry of Transport, with representation from key agencies such as the Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of Youth Development, DVLA, and the National Road Safety Authority. The proposed regulations are now being presented to stakeholders across the country for further input before being submitted to Parliament for approval.
These new reforms are part of President John Dramani Mahama’s long-standing commitment to regulate okada operations for improved safety, job creation, and welfare of Ghanaian youth engaged in the commercial transport sector.
