The Minority in Parliament has maintained its long-standing opposition to the legalisation of okada — commercial motorcycle transport — even as the House passed the contentious Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2025, widely known as the Okada Bill. 

The legislation marks a major overhaul of Ghana’s road safety and transport regulations.

The new law amends the Road Traffic Act of 2004 (Act 683), introducing updated alcohol limits for drivers, regulating the commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles, and establishing mandatory emission testing.

Its key aims include creating safer road conditions, expanding employment opportunities for young people, and providing a comprehensive regulatory framework for an evolving transport sector. A major feature of the bill is the formal regulation of motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles for fare-paying passenger services and ride-hailing operations, aligning national transport policy with modern mobility trends.

However, the bill has deepened political tensions, a the Minority contends that President John Mahama’s push for its passage was driven more by the desire to honour a manifesto commitment than by a genuine pursuit of road safety reform. They argue that the legislation prioritises political gain over extensive stakeholder engagement.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has consistently opposed legalising okada, citing heightened safety risks, rising road accidents, and security concerns associated with commercial motorcycle activity. In the 2020 election cycle, the party pledged instead to support riders with alternative livelihoods, such as access to hire-purchase vehicles rather than legitimise what they deemed a risky venture.

Despite these objections, the Okada Bill was laid and passed on Thursday, December 11, 2025, powered by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary majority.

Government MPs defended the legislation, stressing its potential to improve road safety, reduce alcohol-related accidents, and unlock new job avenues for young Ghanaians seeking opportunities in the expanding motorcycle transport and ride-hailing economy. Second Deputy Majority Whip Richard Acheampong underscored the importance of a clear regulatory regime to manage these fast-growing mobility sectors effectively.