No one under 16 should ride as passenger on Okada- Dr. Godfred Akyea-Darkwah

Dr. Godfred Akyea-Darkwah, a Transport and Road Safety Expert, demands transparency legislative provision to restrict children under the age of 16 from riding any kind of commercial motorcycles, commonly referred to as‘okada’ as passengers. In his view, permitting minors to use these motorcycles creates substantial risk.

Dangers of Minors Riding Commercial Motorcycles

Dr. Akyea-Darkwah, the Chief Executive Officer of Road Safety and Transportation Consultancies Ltd (RSTC), stressed that minors do not have the emotional maturity and physical capability needed to ride on motorcycles, particularly in heavy traffic conditions. He pointed out the potential hazards associated with minors riding commercial motorcycles, particularly in busy urban areas.

During an interview with the Onua TV on April 17, 2025, he said that

“Any child who is less than 16 years shouldn’t be allowed to sit on motorbikes. Their level of braveness is low and so when there is a bigger vehicle coming or if the rider wants to pass in between two vehicles, as they have been doing, the child will experience a severe heartbeat and might even fall of the motorcycle.”

Dr. Akyea-Darkwah strongly believes that a ban on children who are below the age of 16 years should be clearly outlined as part of the existing Okada legislation before its final approval, pointing out the need to focus on safeguarding children in growing transportation sector of Ghana.

Proposed Okada Legislation in Ghana

The government has implemented a thorough license system aimed at overseeing commercial motorcycle and tricycle services. Within the proposed legislation, an okada rider must adhere to exacting specifications including being at least 25 years old, possessing a valid national identification credentials and acquiring a commercial rider’s license from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). Riders must demonstrate riding competence, theoretical, and eye examinations.

Further requirements comprise compulsory training, a unique yellow license plate, putting on certified protective helmets with identification numbers, and associations with a certified union. Riders must additionally provide helmets for passengers and strictly adhere to traffic and speed regulations.

Dr. Godfred Akyea-Darkwah also encouraged the legislation to curb the issue of overloading, which he emphasized that this exacerbates the risk and severity of potential injuries resulting from accidents.

Dr. Godfred Akyea-Darkwah emphasized that “When there is an accident and it is just the rider and one passenger, the damage and the number of persons affected become minimal. But when multiple passengers are on a single motorbike, the consequences can be far worse.”

The insights of Dr. Godfred Akyea-Darkwah demands immediate attention to make sure that childten are safe and also enforce road safety measures for commercial motorcycles in Ghana. If we’re able to restrict children under 16 from riding okadas, the government can better protect the public and reduce fatalities related to motorcycle accidents.

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