‘Okada’ riders will need to pass some tests before being certified as licensed road users
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced plans to legalise and professionalise the activities of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as ‘okada’, in Ghana.
Kelvin Caternor, Deputy Director for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the DVLA, explained that a comprehensive framework is being developed to formalise their operations and enforce safety standards.
Under the plan, each motorcycle will be issued a unique registration plate to aid identification by law enforcement. Riders and passengers will also be required to wear mandatory helmets fitted with unique identification numbers.
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Just as drivers undergo a licensing process, ‘okada’ riders will be subjected to similar requirements. They will need to pass an oral test, a theory test, and an eye test before being certified as licensed road users.
“The commercial rider who becomes licensed will be required to pass an oral test, a theory test, and an eye test, all of which will ensure he becomes a responsible road user. There will also be a unique registration plate issued for each motorcycle to make identification easier for law enforcement,” Caternor said.
“Mandatory helmets with unique identification numbers for both rider and passenger will be required. These measures are designed to professionalise the activities of ‘okada’ riders, enhance accountability, and protect their livelihoods,” he added.
The announcement comes in the wake of a protest in Kumasi by tricycle operators, commonly known as ‘Pragia’, who demanded formal recognition and proper regulation of their work.
By formalising ‘okada’ operations, the DVLA hopes to strike a balance between improving road safety and safeguarding the livelihoods of thousands of riders who depend on commercial motorcycle transport.
SA/MA
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