Persons willing to operate a commercial motorcycle or tricycle, popularly known as 'okada', can only do so if they belong to a recognised tricycle transport union or are employed by a licensed commercial motorcycle company. The provision to limit eligibility to membership of a recognised union and the need for riders to be at least 25 years of age is part of the new Legislative Instrument (L.I) being drafted to amend the existing one, Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2180).
Speaking at a national stakeholder consultation in Accra on Monday, April 7, 2025, on the draft L.I. 2180, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, said the government was introducing a new licensing regime to enhance the monitoring of commercial motorcycles and tricycles and ensure that operators met the necessary competency standards. "Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of the riders and passengers.
Therefore, some provisions in the regulations will cover the mandatory use of helmets, periodic inspections and rider training," Mr Nikpe said at the meeting, which was the first of a nationwide consultation to review L.I 2180 to pave the way for the official operationalisation of okada, a thriving business among the youth.
The consultative meeting brought together representatives from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the association of okada riders, heads of relevant agencies and departments, industry practitioners, civil society organisations and transport operators.
