The Chairman for Ghana Committed Drivers Association, Charles Danso has stated that Former President, John Dramani Mahama has not been fair to Ghanaians for saying he will legalise the Okada business when he comes back into power.
According to him, In 2012, it was the same John Mahama and the late Former President, Atta Mills who made the laws governing the use of motorbikes in Ghana, saying that the laws banned motor bikes from being used for commercial purposes apart from courier services.
He said soon after the law, LI 21 80, 2012 which was signed by Collins Dauda was passed, one of the Regional Ministers’ under the NDC administration boycotted the law, saying that the Okada riders were their people and therefore they should be allowed to operate.
Speaking on Atinka 104.7 FM’s AM Drive, hosted by Ekourba Gyasi, Charles Danso noted that many people have died or injured due to “Okada related accidents.”
He explained further that before one can do the Okada business, there is an insurance the person has to register for, a license to operate amongst others, but they rejected all and the riders started operating without any of the basic requirements.
He, therefore, added that it is unfair for Mr Mahama to come back now to say he will legalise the business when many people have died or injured as a result.
Meanwhile, he said before Ghanaians push for the legalisation of the okada business, they should look out for the consequences on our roads and the negative impacts it can have on human lives.
“John Mahama has come to promise he will legalise the okoda business when he comes back without considering the repercussions. Those pushing for it should look at the atrocities it can bring,” he said.
For his part, the General Secretary of Okada Riders Association, Majid Amadu also explained why the okada business needs to be legalised by the government.
“We are doing the okada business not because we are happy but because there is so much unemployment in the country. We are from different regions and have come to Accra to find work but because there is none, that is why we are doing it. They said it is illegal business but they have not provided the youth with jobs and so whatever happens we will do it,” he said.
He said in 2015, the NPP asked the riders to help them do their campaign, promising them that when they come to power, they will legalise it but when they came to power they did not mind the riders.
Majid Amadu therefore said if Mahama says he will legalise the okada business, they will sit with him to go into agreement so that when he comes he will legalise it.
“If Mahama says he will legalise it we shall sit with him and do an agreement so that when he comes he will not do to us what happened before,” he said.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
