The Public Relations Officer of the Okada Riders Association of Ghana, Solomon Akpanaba, says the association is ready to enforce strict discipline among its members following Parliament’s passage of the Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2025, which legalises commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Friday, December 12, Akpanaba acknowledged public concerns about riders’ compliance with traffic lights and road regulations, admitting that indiscipline among some riders has been a longstanding issue.

He said the association is prepared to address these challenges once the sector is fully regulated under the new law.
“It is a challenge to us. Once the system is regularised, we know these are the complaints Ghanaians have against us, and these genuine complaints, we see them happening,” he said.

Mr. Akpanaba explained that the new law gives unions a central role in enforcing discipline, with leaders empowered to sanction riders who flout traffic regulations, including those who fail to obey traffic lights.
“We are very sure that if we are given the mandate to discipline them as they are asked to work under unions, their leaders will make discipline their key mandate. They should be able to ensure there is discipline among their members,” he said.

He added that riders who fail to adhere to the rules could face severe sanctions.
“Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations that we will give them, we can ask them to stay home, we can sack them from the station, we can remove them from the union."

The Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2025 is expected to improve road safety, streamline the transport sector, and create employment opportunities for young people. It also introduces tighter regulations, including a revised alcohol concentration limit for drivers and stricter penalties for offenders.

Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe Bukari told Parliament that the amendments are intended to sanitise road transport services and promote safer and more efficient road use nationwide.