Ban Okada

Okada phenemenon is catching on in Ghana


By William Yaw Owusu

Friday February 12, 2010
THE NATIONAL Road Safety Commission (NRSC) says it is completely against the use of motorbikes for commercial use and sees the new phenomenon as an impediment in the effort to ensure sanity on the country’s roads.
The use of motorbikes popularly called ‘Okada” is fast becoming a means of transportation for many people especially in some parts of Accra and the Volta Region around Aflao.
Answering questions at a media briefing to outline its programmes and plans for the year, May Obiri-Yeboah, NRSC Director in charge of Education said if not checked immediately, the ‘Okada’ phenomenon could derail efforts of the commission and all other stakeholders in the fight against indiscipline on our roads.

She said a pilot study conducted by the commission into the ‘Okada’ business showed that the country did not stand to lose anything if it was banned.

Ms. Obiri-Yeboah said, “The NRSC is against the ‘Okada’ business. It is not safe for us to encourage it. All the neighbouring French-speaking countries who earlier on encouraged the system are advising us not to entertain it here in Ghana because they are finding it difficult to scrap it.”

“We have already met some motorbike importers and dealers and held meetings with some riders; they all admit that the practice is not safe but they hide behind the issue of unemployment to do it,” she explained.

“In some places where ‘Okada’ is common, these riders use the bikes to carry all sorts of things including coffins, dead bodies while others use it to facilitate robbery.”

She said the NRSC would open up a tender for consultants this month to look thoroughly into the issue and offer suggestions on the way forward.

Outlining the commission’s programmes, Noble John Appiah, the Executive Director said they were working to empower the Ghanaian passenger to demand “higher road safety standards and compliance to regulations.”

“We want everybody to appreciate the fact that road safety is a shared responsibility and if we are not able to tackle it properly, it will become another national health issue.”

He said the commission will launch the development and distribution of road safety education books for basic schools and training manuals for teachers next month.

Mr. Appiah said further that NRSC is ready to collaborate with the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Government Technical Training Centre to upgrade training for drivers with the launch of the drivers’ academy during the month.

He said the commission was working to reduce the spate of accidents and commended all stakeholders for their contributions towards ensuring road safety.

David Osafo Adonten, Director in Charge of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation said the driver’s academy was not being established to push the numerous driving schools out of business but is rather to help bring professionalism into the system.

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