The Okada Riders Association of Ghana (ORAG) has dismissed reports suggesting that the government is deliberately delaying the legalization of the commercial motorcycle transport sector. The association described such claims as misleading and unrepresentative of its official position.
In a statement issued and signed by the national leadership, ORAG emphasized that the government has made steady progress towards the legalization of the okada industry and continues to engage all relevant stakeholders in the process.
According to the association, certain self-styled unions have been spreading misinformation and creating unnecessary tension, claiming to speak on behalf of all okada riders. ORAG, however, clarified that such groups do not represent the broader interests of riders across the country.
“We wish to emphatically state that these claims do not reflect the views of ORAG,” the statement read. “We commend the government for its efforts in moving the legalization process forward and assure the public that we are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure successful implementation.”
The association revealed that the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, recently provided updates indicating that the draft bill on okada legalization has been forwarded to Cabinet and will be laid before Parliament upon its resumption. ORAG described this as a significant milestone and a demonstration of the government’s commitment to formalizing the sector.
Despite this progress, ORAG raised concerns over the high cost of motorcycle licensing and registration fees, describing them as a major obstacle for many riders. The leadership argued that the current fees are unaffordable for a large section of their members, leaving them vulnerable to harassment by law enforcement agencies.
The association is therefore appealing to the government to review and reduce the fees to make compliance easier. It has also called on the Ghana Police Service to grant riders a grace period or phased implementation to allow them to regularize their operations without intimidation.
“We believe that a considerate approach will help bring more riders into the formal system, enhance road safety, and support revenue generation,” the association noted, urging collaboration rather than punitive measures.
ORAG further expressed disappointment at attempts by some unions to mount pressure on the government, stressing that the legalization process is complex and requires careful scrutiny to ensure a sustainable framework. The association assured all stakeholders that it remains fully engaged with the government to see the process through.
The group urged the public and the media to disregard false claims and instead support ongoing efforts to formalize the okada sector. “We remain committed to working with the government to ensure the success of this initiative,” ORAG concluded.
Read the full statement below!
PRESS RELEASE
DISCLAIMER ON DELAY OF LEGALIZATION PROCESS
To all esteemed members of the media and the general public,
We, the Okada Riders Association of Ghana (ORAG), would like to address certain misinformation circulating in the public domain regarding the legalization process of the okada industry. Some self-proclaimed unions have been falsely claiming that the government is delaying the legalization process, purporting to speak on behalf of the Okada Riders Association of Ghana.
We wish to emphatically state that these claims do not reflect the views of ORAG. We commend the government for its efforts in moving the legalization process forward and assure the public that we are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.
As the mother association, we are committed to adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Ministerial Committee inaugurated by the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe. We are pleased to note that the Minister recently updated us on the progress of the bill, which has been forwarded to Cabinet and will be laid before Parliament upon resumption.
However, we would like to bring to the attention of the government one pressing issue that affects our members: the high cost of licensing and registration fees for motorcycles. We believe that the current fees are prohibitively expensive for many of our riders, making it difficult for them to acquire the necessary licenses and registrations. This, in turn, exposes them to harassment by law enforcement agencies.
We respectfully urge the government to review the licensing and registration fees for motorcycles with the aim of making them more affordable for our members. Additionally, we kindly request that the government engages with the Ghana Police Service to grant our members sufficient time to comply with the regulations without fear of harassment or intimidation. A phased implementation or grace period would allow our members to gradually regularize their status without undue hardship.
We find it perplexing that some of these unions are mounting pressure on the government despite the progress made so far. As the mother association, we are working tirelessly with the government and are fully aware of the steps being taken to finalize the legalization process. We understand that this is a complex process requiring careful consideration, and we appreciate the government’s diligence in ensuring that all necessary protocols are followed.
We urge the public to disregard any misinformation propagated by these unions and to recognize the efforts being made by the government to legalize the okada industry. We remain committed to working with the government to ensure the success of this initiative.
COPY TO:
All Media Houses
Office of the Transport Minister
Office of the President
Office of the Chief of Staff
SIGNED:
Michael Kofi Owusu
National President
Okada Riders Association of Ghana (ORAG)
0246883006
Adande Kojo
National Secretary
Okada Riders Association of Ghana (ORAG)
0246352567
Evans Waja
National P.R.O
Okada Riders Association of Ghana (ORAG)
0244490680
