Okada Bill sparks mixed reactions among riders, users 

The approval of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2025, by Parliament has generated mixed reactions among commercial motorcycle riders and users in Tema and Ashaiman. 

Parliament passed the Bill on Wednesday, December 10, officially legalising the commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, a move the government says would sanitise the transport sector and enhance road safety. 

The legislation, which is awaiting presidential assent, also revises Ghana’s legal alcohol limit for drivers and introduces stricter penalties aimed at reducing drunk-driving incidents. 

Explaining the purpose of the amendment on the floor of Parliament, Mr Joseph Nikpe Bukari, the Minister for Transport, said the changes were intended to bring order to the sector that had long operated with regulatory gaps. 

The minister noted that the new law was expected to regularise the operations of more than one million commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders who had worked informally for years, while opening employment opportunities for the youth through a clearer framework for licensing, training and enforcement. 

Meanwhile, a cross-section of riders and users interviewed by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tema and Ashaiman have expressed both optimism and concern about how the new law would be implemented. 

Mr Shaibu Issaka, a motorist at Ashaiman New York, said he remained uncertain about the bill, citing safety concerns. 

He said he had worked in the sector for about 15 years and had witnessed numerous crashes, adding that he was worried about the safety of both riders and passengers. 

Mr Issaka also questioned whether police harassment would truly end or merely take new forms, stressing that his family depended on the income he earned from riding. 

Another motorist on the same route, Mr Mahmoud Mohammed, welcomed the passage of the Bill, saying he was encouraged by the prospect of being licensed like commercial vehicle drivers. 

He, however, raised concerns about riders who might not be able to afford registration costs, particularly those operating motorcycles owned by others. 

Mr Joshua Quarshie, a motorist in Tema, expressed satisfaction with the Bill, saying he was hopeful that the arrests of riders would reduce once the law took effect. 

Ms Magdalene Apeku, who frequently uses commercial motorcycles, said the legislation would boost public confidence, as riders would now be required to operate under established rules to enhance safety. 

Mr Benjamin Antwi, a private motor rider, urged other riders to ensure they obtained the necessary licenses and appealed to the government to improve road infrastructure to support safer transportation. 

Source: GNA