IGP urges Okada riders to prioritise safety, licensing

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Wednesday led members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) in a high-level engagement with the leadership of the Okada Riders Association of Ghana (ORAG) aimed at boosting road safety, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering stronger partnership between commercial motorbike operators and the Ghana Police Service.

The meeting, held on September 16, focused on the concerns of the riders while outlining clear expectations for safer and more accountable operations across the country. Mr Yohuno stressed that commercial motorbike transport, popularly known as Okada, plays a significant role in urban mobility but must operate within established legal and safety frameworks to protect both riders and the public.

He called on the association to prioritise proper training for its members in safe riding practices and to ensure strict adherence to road traffic regulations. Regular education programmes on responsible riding, the IGP said, would help reduce the frequency of road crashes and promote a culture of safer road use. He further directed ORAG to ensure that all its members are properly identified and registered, hold valid licences, and that their motorbikes meet full registration requirements.

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These measures, according to the Police Administration, are essential for improving accountability within the sector and supporting broader national efforts to enhance road safety.

The engagement forms part of ongoing initiatives by the police to collaborate with transport stakeholders and address operational challenges facing Okada riders.

Responding, the President of ORAG, Mr Michael Kofi Owusu, welcomed the dialogue and affirmed the association’s readiness to work closely with the Ghana Police Service. He said ORAG is committed to improving the standards of its operations and supporting police efforts to promote safety and curb crime associated with commercial motorbike activities.

Mr Yohuno assured the riders that the Police Administration remains open to continued engagement and will work to address legitimate concerns raised by the association in the interest of public safety and effective cooperation between the two sides.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of wider government and regulatory discussions on the formalisation and regulation of commercial motorcycle operations in Ghana, with stakeholders emphasising the need for structured training, licensing and compliance to make the sector safer and more sustainable.