Joseph Bukari Nikpe
Parliament has passed the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a historic shift in the country’s transport policy by formally legalising commercial motorcycle transport, popularly known as okada.
The approval, granted after extensive debate, paves the way for the widespread and long-standing informal sector to operate legally under a strengthened regulatory framework.
The bill, introduced in the House on Wednesday and laid by the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, is to update the 2020 Road Traffic Act (Act 1054) to formally recognise motorcycle taxis as an authorised mode of commercial passenger transport.
It simultaneously introduces updated safety and enforcement measures designed to make the increasingly dominant mode of transport safer for both riders and passengers.
During the consideration stages, the Transport Minister reiterated that the amendments were necessary to modernise the nation’s transport laws and respond to the realities on the ground, where thousands of young people rely on motorcycle transport for their livelihoods.
He explained that beyond legalising okada, the bill reduces the permissible blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05 percent and introduces new seat belt standards and other safety requirements to align Ghana with international best practices.
According to him, the reforms will ensure safer mobility, reduce road traffic injuries, and provide structure to a sector that has long operated without oversight.
The passage of the bill also gives legislative effect to President John Dramani Mahama’s long-standing commitment to regulate and formalise okada operations.
Addressing motorbike riders in Ashaiman on May 31, 2024, the President reiterated his belief that commercial motorcycle transport, if properly regulated, could provide meaningful employment for young people while improving local mobility.
At the time, he emphasised that although the promise to legalise okada was included in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) earlier manifesto, the party’s electoral loss delayed its implementation. With the new amendments approved, the administration has now fulfilled a key pledge to riders across the country.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House