Enforce law on Okada

The boom in the Okada business throughout the country continues to be an issue of major concern to a good number of Ghanaians.

This is especially so when the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes is outlawed.

The practice, in spite of it being unlawful, keeps increasing at an amazing pace, making Okada riders seen everywhere.

What the Daily Graphic finds surprising is the fact that in spite of the position of the police that they were on top of the situation of arresting those involved in the practice, this has not succeeded in deterring the number of persons engaged in the illegal act.

The reality of the two contrasting positions was made evident in the story we carried in yesterday’s issue of this paper which showcased the views of the Minister of Transport and that of the police.

While the minister blamed the police for not enforcing the law, the police, on the other hand, maintained that they were effectively enforcing the law by arresting and prosecuting those found guilty.

Without doubt, the Okada business has been both a blessing and a curse to the people of Ghana.

Its blessings lie in the fact that there are many nooks and crannies in the country which cannot be accessed by vehicles but Okadas have been very adept at accessing them.

In the case of rural areas where the roads are so unmotorable that no driver would attempt driving his vehicle there, Okadas have come in very handy.

Right here in Accra and other big cities where the traffic situation is always bad, Okadas have provided an easy avenue for people to get to their destinations on time.

These blessings notwithstanding, some Okada drivers have and continue to be quite reckless.

They fail to respect road traffic regulations and operate their own system by meandering their way recklessly through traffic, such that one must be on the lookout when crossing the road during a traffic build-up.

This is because Okadas could be meandering their way through the vehicles on one’s blind side and could easily knock a person down.

More so, they will never stop when the traffic light turns red, as they always seem to be in a hurry more than anyone.

In comparative terms, one cannot say that the Okada business is extremely bad, since its patronage keeps increasing, and that means it is meeting some useful societal needs.

If that is so, then a second look must be taken at the law that bans the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes, such as ways to regulate the practice, so that safety standards are not compromised.

The Daily Graphic advocates stakeholder consultations and deliberations to find ways to address the negative aspects that the practice carries as we try to promote the benefits that it brings to those who patronise it.