Ghanaian lawmakers have unanimously passed the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a legislation that officially decriminalises the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes.
The passage brings long-awaited relief to thousands of commercial motor riders, popularly known as okada operators, who for years have faced sanctions from law enforcement agencies due to the illegal status of their trade.
Commonly referred to as the Okada Bill, the new legislation introduces sweeping reforms to the country’s road safety and transport governance systems.
It amends the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), setting out updated standards for alcohol limits for drivers, regulating commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles, and establishing comprehensive emission-testing protocols to improve environmental compliance.
The overarching objective of the bill is to create safer roads, expand economic opportunities, particularly for Ghana’s teeming youth and modernise Ghana’s transportation regulatory framework to keep pace with global trends.
Among its key provisions is the formal regulation of motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles for fare-paying passenger services and ride-hailing operations.
The passage marks a significant policy shift aimed at aligning Ghana’s transport system with emerging mobility patterns, especially in underserved urban and rural areas where such services have become essential.
Debate ahead of the bill’s passage featured contrasting perspectives across the aisle.
The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus questioned the motivation behind the amendment, arguing that President John Dramani Mahama’s strong push for its passage was driven more by the need to fulfill a campaign promise than by genuine commitment to road safety reforms.
“It appears this is more about political expediency than the outcome of meaningful stakeholder engagements,” the Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr. Kabiru Tia, remarked during the debate.
The Majority, however, defended the bill’s intent and potential impact.
They emphasised that beyond legalising commercial motorbike operations, the legislation will significantly improve road safety, reduce alcohol-related traffic incidents, and expand regulated employment opportunities for young people keen to join the growing motorcycle transport and ride-hailing sectors.
Second Deputy Majority Whip, Richard Acheampong, underscored the bill’s importance, noting that instituting a clear and enforceable regulatory framework is essential to managing modern transport modes effectively and safely.
President Mahama is expected to give his assent to the bill to become operational in the coming days.
By: Christian Kpesese
