Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that the ‘Okada’ business is risky hence the Akufo-Addo government will not legalise it.
He said the government will rather provide “a better option” to those in the ‘Okada’ business to own vehicles to operate in the transport sector.
Speaking at the joint launch of a strategic collaboration of Volkswagon and Blackivy to launch Volkswagon’s new assembled cars in Ghana, Vice President Dr. Bawumia stated that the NPP government will stick to its decision to provide a better alternative for the Okada riders.
“I know that there’s been a recent discussion about Okada in Ghana, I think that in the context of what we are doing we will rather encourage the okada riders to come in and try to lease these vehicles so that they can run businesses. They need to graduate from this risky and less safe okada riding to a safer means of transportation. Their problem will be a lack of capital but if you bring in new leasing policies and we have our national ID cards with our digital addresses we can have a credit system working and give you an option other than this risky job,” Dr. Bawumia was quoted by Kasapafmonline.com.
He added: “You don’t want to finish graduate school and then make life in okada riding. You can have a better option and we’ll give you a better option. So, yes, we will not legalize Okada business. It may be a tough decision but it is in the interest of Ghanaians. We have had discussions but we will stick to our decision to provide a better alternative to okada riding. Let’s give them an opportunity to lease vehicles and pay over time.”
Former president John Mahama has served notice he will legalise and regulate the ‘Okada’ business when he comes to power.
“I’ve been seeing young people who have finished school and they can’t find a job and, so, they are looking for something they can do and many of our young people are riding motorcycles and transporting people from place to place, and we call them Okada.
“But in our law, it says Okada is illegal but Okada is a reality, it has come to stay, you can’t stop it, and, so, I’ve suggested and I say when we come into office, we will legalise Okada but we will regulate it,” Mr Mahama said.
