THE OKADA LEGALIZATION: THE MATHS, SAFETY AND EXPERIENCE CONVERSATION.

In well over 13 years, on exactly the 10th of September 2011 at 9:36am, I posted a harmless advocacy on my Blog: YOUTH PARADE on the subject: OKADA, A CONVENIENT ILLEGALITY. 

It was shared on my then politically vibrant Facebook page but did not gain much attention until it was projected on a news portal created by Management of Homebase TV. The Piece in 2016 topped the stories and articles on the portal for weeks leading to several discussions on the subject matter for days. 

Naturally, once nothing was done about it, the subject died a natural death but was resurrected during the 2020 General Election when it became NDC's key campaign message: Okada eee, Okada eee....It appeared to have died a second death after the election did not go in favour of the NDC and His Excelency John Dramani Mahama. 

 Fortunately, the 2024 General Election which did not rely mainly on Okada was a success and with its success has come the rebirth of the need the legalization of Okada which has for so long become a Convenient illegality and a source of income for a lot of youth in most communities if not all communities in Ghana. 

 Admittedly, the disregard for traffic rules and regulations by these youngsters cannot be overemphacised. The refusal to use protective gear, the overcharging of fares and the use of bikes for crime are but a few of the problems mostly complained about. The most challenging which I am not glossing over is the spate of gruesome accidents and rate of untimely deaths. There are stories of deliberate amputation of limbs of Okada riders at a named health facility as punishment for careless riding on the roads. There are stories of other road users targeting these riders for disaster because of the riders' disregard for safety regulations. 

 Interestingly, I saw a flyer by a TV station with a list of conditions to meet to qualify as Okada rider in the new 'Okada law" and I was shocked. In my shock, I posted on my whatsapp status: "A 21 year old citizen qualifies to be an MP in Ghana but he has to be 25 years old to ride Okada?" That is an absurdity, obviously that is an absurdity. 

I had a text message from an industry player asking me to slow down and later got a call from another industry player seeking to justify the 25 years with safety and experience. I relied on the mathematics of the law. The position of the lawmaker as we spoke was that, the existing law that outlaws the commercialization of two wheelers and three wheelers does not seperate driving from riding therefore, wherever you find driving in the law, it is in reference to both driving and riding. 

 Again, the position of the law as it is now is that, a person who wishes to drive on the roads in Ghana can apply for and be issued a Driver's License by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and this can only be for private use. You may use this to transport yourself and your family and friends but where you seek to drive otherpersons on contract basis; thus public transportation, you have to be 25 years old. Another absurdity! 

 My point and question to him was; what was the basis for taking such a decision? Interestingly, their focus and understanding of public transportation at the time of making such a law in 2004 was "big buses". Funny! Isn't it? I have still not recovered from my shock. This is a law passed by the Parliament of Ghana in 2004, at a time parliament was an envy of every Ghanaian. The man who called me to slow down is someone I have always respected and continue to respect. 

The law at the time failed to create a limit for mini buses and cabs. Unfortunately, the system is failing to take the opportunity created by the thirst for an Okada law to correct the mistake by seggregating the various classes of experience. The mathematics of the Okada law as it appeared on the flyer I saw vis-a-vis the existing road safety act is that, a person can acquire a rider's license at the age of 18 years but will have to ride on the bike "privately" for 7years to be able to convert it to Okada. Aaaah! Straight away, we are promoting the illegality we sort to remedy. Who needs 7 years experience to do what he has been doing daily?

 My proposal here is that, in the past, you needed about 3years of apprenticeship to learn how to drive and acquire a driver's license after which you needed 2 years to serve your master before he can recommend an upgrade of you license for you to be able to drive. 

 Today, Driving schools, types of cars and technology have combined to simplify everything. Life is so fast paced you cannot do things that will slow the world down. Okada riding is a must with properly thought through regulations that make the law youth friendly, income generation friendly and enforcement easy. It should not be one that creates room for the youth to abuse a porous system with no gain to the District Assemblies and the Nation as a whole.

 Today being Friday, I am not advising anybody. I am wishing you a safe weekend on you Okada. Remember it is still an illegality but very convenient.

 HAPPY EASTER IN ADVANCE! DON'T DRINK AND RIDE; STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS; SAFE RIDE