Government Begins Nationwide Sensitization On New Road Traffic Law Legalizing Okada For Commercial Use – Transport Minister

The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, says government has begun a nationwide sensitization exercise on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) which provides legal framework for the use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for commercial purposes.

According to the Minister, the amendments were done on the instruction of the President and approved by Parliament to modernize Ghana’s transport regulatory framework and align it with standards in the sub-region and globally.

Speaking at the National Dissemination Exercise held in Accra, Hon. Nikpe said the new law does not only legalize Okada business, but also introduces key reforms to improve road safety.

“On the instruction of the President, we went to Parliament to amend our road safety regulations to include the use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for commercial purposes, and again to also reduce the alcohol concentration in drivers and reduce the age for driving from 25 to 21. All this to open up the regulations to be able to take in more people who want to operate in the transport sector,” he said.

He explained that L.I. 2519 was subsequently passed to give effect to the amended Act and provide an up-to-date legal framework for enforcement.

“Today we are here to sensitize Ghanaians on the L.I. that has been passed by Parliament. We want every driver, every road user, every person in the transport industry to understand clearly what this L.I. means and how it is going to be operationalized,” he noted.

The event saw presentations from key stakeholders including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ministry of Roads and Highways, and the Ghana Police Service, which highlighted causes and effects of careless driving through video clips.

Hon. Nikpe said the Ministry will embark on a nationwide sensitization tour to ensure all Ghanaians appreciate the new law.

“It is my belief that with this sensitization, all Ghanaians will be interested and ensure that this road transport system that oils our economy will be protected and properly utilized to help all of us get to our workplaces safe and get home safe,” he said.

Okada Operators Part Of Sensitization Team

The Minister revealed that commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, have been extensively engaged and will be part of the national sensitization team.

“What we have done is to engage them. I remember I had a trip with some of them to Rwanda to see how their colleagues operate. They are very disciplined on the road. They know the lanes to use, where to stop, where to turn, and how to respect road signs,” he said.

“The good aspect is that they will be part of the sensitization group going around the nation to meet their colleagues and inform them how to use the roads in conducting their business,” he added.

Hon. Nikpe described Okada business as the “last mile journey”, noting that in many parts of the country, motorcycles and tricycles remain the only available means of transport for people and farm produce.

“We believe the country still has to go through a lot when it comes to transportation. In some parts of the country, vehicle services are not readily available. All you can find is motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, so it is important that everybody gets to move,” he stated.

New Reforms: Number Plates Now Assigned To Owners, Not Vehicles

The Transport Minister disclosed that under the new L.I., vehicle number plates will no longer be assigned to vehicles but to owners, to enhance accountability and crime detection.

“Number plates are no more assigned to vehicles; they are now going to be assigned to owners. So if a vehicle is used to commit any crime, we know whose vehicle committed the crime. The police will just come after you,” he explained.

He added that technology will be deployed to monitor traffic offences, with special vehicles and equipment for the police to detect violations.

“If you break any traffic regulations, the police will be able to use technology along the streets and special vehicles to detect who has committed what crime. This will help us bring sanity, discipline and respect to other road users,” he said.

He also urged pedestrians to use designated crossing points and respect road signage.

“You cannot be faster than a machine. If it is a highway and you want to run thinking you are smart, you will be knocked down. Let us use the road signage and crossing points,” he advised.

Hon. Nikpe said the reforms were done in collaboration with the Ministries of Interior, Roads and Highways, and other agencies to ensure a comprehensive legal framework that promotes discipline and safety on Ghana’s roads.