As part of larger initiatives to simplify the nation’s transportation system, the government is moving to legalize and regulate commercial motorbike transportation, or “okada.”
According to Lawyer Abraham Amaliba, Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), changes to Sections 128 (1), (2), and (3) of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180) are presently being examined.
The Transport Minister appointed a 13-member group to evaluate the situation and suggest any required changes.
He said that if the revised rules are accepted, a new traffic enforcement program called Traffics will be launched in an effort to improve road safety and reduce traffic infractions.
He revealed this in an interview on Sunday, March 23, 2025, on TV3’s Hot Issues.
The head of the NRSA claims that this novel approach is intended to instantly impose electronic fines on traffic violators via text message alerts, doing away with the necessity for on-the-ground police involvement.
Traffitech is a program that we have. This method will expedite the issuance of spot fines for road offenses. Instant alerts alerting offenders to their violations, such running traffic signals, would be sent to them, said Attorney Amaliba.
He added that speed cameras will be placed on Ghanaian roads and streets as part of the Traffitech project to keep an eye on drivers and pedestrians.
He said that doing this would improve adherence to traffic regulations and lessen traffic and collisions.
Traffitech will be incorporated into the amendment if this law is approved. Police officers won’t have to manually stop cars since it will guarantee that drivers get immediate alerts when they break traffic laws,” he said.
Strict rules will be implemented to guarantee the safety of riders, passengers, and other road users once Okada is expected to become legal.
Okada operators will receive thorough road safety training and be expected to properly follow all traffic laws, according to attorney Amaliba.
“Okada riders will not be allowed to disregard traffic laws or jump traffic signals once legalization takes effect. The new system will penalize those who violate it. In order to promote respect for one another on the road, there will also be extensive road safety education efforts targeted at both Okada riders and private car drivers, he added.
Attorney Amaliba emphasized that driver insubordination and a lack of respect between drivers and Okada riders are the main causes of traffic congestion in Ghana. He was hopeful that a more orderly road transport system would result from the legalization and regulation of Okada operations, as well as from enforcement and education initiatives.
The belief that Okada riders have no rights on the road and a lack of discipline are the main causes of the traffic jams we see. After legalization, drivers will have to accept Okada riders as legitimate users of the road. In order to guarantee that Okada riders behave responsibly, we will also step up education,” he stated.
He stated that in order to guarantee a seamless transition, the government and pertinent transportation organizations want to carry out in-depth stakeholder engagements in several key areas, including as Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, and Volta. The public will have the chance to offer feedback on the regulatory structure governing Okada activities through these engagements.
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