Commercial motor riders have called on all political parties to make the legalisation of their business a priority when they come to power irrespective of their party colours.
According to them, lack of jobs have pushed them into the okada business and that government should either provide them with jobs or legalise their operations.
The okada riders made the call at a meeting with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) organisers on the legalisation of the business in Accra on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Greater Accra Motor Riders Association, Issah Abubakar, reiterated that because of lack of jobs, they had no option than to resort to the okada business.
He complained of the neglect of the insurance companies, inability to have access to license, road worthy amongst others.
“We do insurance but when we get injured they do not mind us. When okada drivers die, the insurance companies do not mind them,” he complained.
However, Mr Abubakar noticed that since the NPP government came to power, the police has been considerate on okada riders, expressing hope that the Akufo-Addo Government can make the lives of okada riders better than the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) did.
He also alleged that the okada riders called for a meeting with both NDC and NPP but the NDC rejected their request, saying the NDC does not have okada riders at heart as it claims.
Mr Abubakar, therefore, called on government to hear the cries of okada riders and address them as such when they come into power again.
For his part, the General Secretary of National Okada Riders Association, David Teye Amanortey, called for the re -branding of the okada business to make it more attractive and safe for the public.
“Okada is a Nigerian word and I don’t know if it is a cursed name or not. We will change the name ‘Okada’ to a Ghanaian name for people to understand because when people hear it they get angry,” he said.
He also suggested that the next government, irrespective of its colours should legalise the business.
“Mahama said he will legalise it, fine we accept, but he is the one who placed the ban on it. We want to ask him to tell us what he saw before placing a ban on okada business. He should also make us know the benefits of okada that is making him say he will legalise it when he comes back,” he said.
Meanwhile, David Teye Amanortey said although okada riders are not thieves as perceived by most people, he noticed that some thieves had gotten themselves involved in the business because it has not been legalized.
He therefore urged the public to ensure they are safe anytime they sit on motorbikes.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori