Menace Of ‘’OKADA’’ Riders On City Roads
Since Dr George Akuffo Dampare assumed office as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) on August 1, 2021., Ghanaians can testify to the level of sanity and professionalism he has introduced into the Police force in Ghana. Dr Dampare has been able to reduce the spate of insecurities due to high numbers of armed robbery activities, fear and panic caused by pronouncements of deaths by some religious leaders, high rate of unguarded threats to life on social media space and a few others. His order to financial institutions and compliance to secure properly built bullion vans fit for purpose and to get back-up vans that will ensure the safety of both escort and other officials seem to have lowered the incidents of attacks on bullion vans.
However, one area of city life that seem not to caught the attention of the IGP for immediate action and redress is the use and misuse of motorized cycles for commercial activities in the cities popularly known as ‘’Okada business”.
Over the years, ‘’okada business’’ have increasingly been used to transport persons and goods form around the larger cities with much ease and at cheaper costs.
The patronage of these motor bikes have caught on as they offer speed during rush hours and are also cheaper in costs.
These commercial bikes though not currently legalized in the country has tremendously benefitted both city dwellers and those at the country side .
On 1st June 2018, there was an attempt by some members of the rural parliamentary caucus to pass a legislation to legalize the ‘’okada business”.
Their illegalities not withstanding, these riders often ride on street shoulders, road pavements, jump red lights, do not stop at pedestrian crossings and sometimes take as many as three passengers on their bikes.
Even though ”okada” riders are usually found flouting traffic regulations and contribute to higher number of fatal road accidents in the country, the attempts made by MTTD to arrest riders who flouts the road laws are met with stiff opposition from the riders and political power compounded by inadequate legislations to prosecute arrested offenders.
The question posed by citizens is that Can IGP DAMPARE WIN THE WAR AGAINST ERRANT COMMERCIAL MOTOR RIDERS IN GHANA?
Citizens are of the view that if the IGP could turn his attention more to curb the misuse of motor bikes for commercial activities in Ghana and backed by the needed legislation, there could be drastic discipline and safety on the roads in our cities and fatalities reduced drastically.
Source: Eunice Afoley
