News:
February 2, 2011
The Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Joseph Osei –Owusu, has said he is strongly opposed to legitimizing the use of motor bikes (Okada) as a means of transportion for commercial purposes.
Over 500 operators of commercial motorbikes popularly known as ‘Okada’, on Tuesday February 1 stormed Parliament to ask the House to legitimize their operations.
They said they want Parliament to grant them a temporary permit so they can operate with the motorbikes as commercial means of transportation.
The use of Okada as a means of transport is very popular in the West African state of Nigeria and is fast gaining popularity in Ghana particularly in the Capital, Accra.
They are operational in suburbs such as Dansoman, Odorkor, Mallam, Korle Bu and Accra Central among others where the operations have received high patronage.
However, the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service has outlawed their operations and vowed to arrest anyone who operates with a motorbike for commercial purposes.
Contributing to a discussion on Oman FM’s morning show on Wednesday, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Joseph Osei- Owusu, noted that a careful observation of the practice in other countries has revealed a lot of fatalities recorded.
He stated further that the country will suffer dire consequences if the ban on commercial use of motorbikes is lifted.
Hon. Osei –Owusu added that new traffic regulations also ban the okada practice and urged the riders to look to other employment opportunities.
Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh