Okada Riders Association establishes training centre ahead of legalisation

The Okada Riders Association in Ghana has established its own training centre to prepare members for the upcoming legalisation and regulation of commercial motorbike riding. The association's Public Relations Officer, Evans Wadja, stated that the centre aims to train between 50 and 60 riders daily on traffic regulations and road discipline.

Wadja argued that the historical chaos associated with the trade was a result of the government failing to provide formal training or licensing systems, rather than being solely the fault of the riders. He noted that many individuals turned to the trade due to unemployment and were forced to operate without formal instruction.

The association also addressed past tensions with law enforcement, noting that riders have previously sought fairer treatment at police checkpoints. This move toward formal training comes as the Ghanaian government finalises rules to regulate the sector.