The Minister of Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has officially inaugurated an Inter-Agency Review Committee tasked with reviewing the Road Traffic Regulation 2012 (L.I. 2180) and specifically to consider the use of motorcycles and tricycles for fare-paying passenger services.
In his inaugural speech, Hon. Nikpe acknowledged the positive contributions of Okadas, Pragyias, Mahama Can Do, Yellow Yellow, and similar vehicles to Ghana’s economy.
According to him, these vehicles had become essential for navigating traffic, especially in areas with limited access to public transport. Their ability to reach hard-to-reach areas had made them indispensable, particularly for last-mile connectivity.
However, he said, despite these undeniable benefits, the operation of these vehicles often contravened the provisions of existing road traffic regulations, leading to significant safety concerns and a rise in accidents on the roads. As such, he emphasised the urgent need for a regulation that would govern their operation for commercial purposes.
The sector Minister stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement, and local communities in addressing the rapid rise of commercial motorcycles and tricycles and expressed confidence that Ghana would soon have a modernised regulatory framework that would strike a balance between the need for safe and accessible transport and the necessity of protecting lives on the road.
The newly inaugurated Inter-Agency Review Committee is responsible for reviewing and amending the existing regulations under the Road Traffic Regulation 2012 (L.I. 2180) to effectively incorporate commercial motorcycles and tricycles into Ghana’s broader transportation network. The committee is set to focus on several key areas, including the development of safety standards, licensing procedures, and enforcement strategies.
The thirteen-member committee comprises representatives from key institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Road Safety Authority, the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD), and the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.
