Okada riders are not recognised by law - GPRTU

Mr Solomon Addy, a Welfare Task Force Officer of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) said on Tuesday that commercial motorcycle riders known as “okada” are infringing on the duties of the Union.

“They are operating illegally because the GPRTU does not recognise them, and we also doubt whether they have acquired genuine documents from the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) to operate”.

Mr Addy who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, appealed to the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police to enforce the traffic laws on “Okada” riders who were operating illegally.

Some “Okada” riders whom the GNA spoke to said they had acquired their licenses and registration numbers from the DVLA that mandated them to carry out their daily activities.

“Many of us are graduates but since there are no jobs, we buy the motorbikes and use them to make a living”, Mr Anthony Oppong, an “okada” rider stated adding that “we are compelled to do this business because there are no other jobs for us”.

Some pedestrians, who spoke to the GNA, complained that “okada” riders did not obey traffic regulations but rather rode recklessly, thereby putting the lives of those who patronized their services in danger.