The bill, presented by the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, proposes targeted amendments to the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683). If passed, the amendments will officially recognize these vehicles as approved commercial transport modes, paving the way for regulated operations nationwide.
According to the Transport Ministry, the initiative is designed to address long-standing gaps in last-mile transport and provide a safer, standardized framework for the thousands of riders who already operate informally across the country. The bill outlines provisions for licensing, route compliance, safety standards, and rider training to ensure that legalization is accompanied by robust oversight.
Stakeholders in the transport sector have long been divided over the Okada debate—while critics cite safety concerns, supporters argue that the trade provides essential mobility services and employment for many young people. The tabling of this bill marks the first concrete governmental step toward resolving the issue through formal regulation rather than prohibition.
Parliament is expected to begin deliberations in the coming days, with transport unions, road safety advocates, and local assemblies all anticipated to participate actively in the consultation process. Should the bill be approved, Ghana would join several West African countries that have formalized motorcycle-based commercial transport as part of their urban mobility ecosystem.
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