The Commercial National Motor Riders Union (CNMRU) has debunked claims by a group calling itself the Okada Riders Association (ORAG) that the NDC government has failed commercial motorbike riders after using them during the 2024 general election campaign.
According to the CNMRU, the allegation is false, misleading and does not reflect the facts on the ground.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, September 3, 2026, the National PRO of the Union Setsoafia Quarshie Pascal, said the Government of President John Dramani Mahama has demonstrated clear commitment to addressing the long-standing demand for the legalization and proper regulation of commercial motorcycle operations in Ghana.
The Union disclosed that following the 2024 general elections, government established a technical committee to undertake research and consultations toward the legalization and regulation of Okada operations, with CNMRU as part of the process.
As part of the committee’s work, a delegation comprising the Chairman of CNMRU, Mohammed Tijani, representatives of the National Road Safety Authority including Abraham Amaliba, leadership of the DVLA including Hon. Julius Neequaye Kotey, and the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, travelled to Rwanda to study that country’s commercial motorcycle regulatory system.
“This was not a publicity exercise. It formed part of the practical work toward developing an effective and sustainable framework for the regulation of Okada operations in Ghana,” the Union stated.
The National PRO Pascal further revealed that concrete progress has been made, with the relevant bill now laid before Parliament and currently going through the parliamentary process awaiting presidential assent.
“This is concrete progress, and it demonstrates that the Government has not abandoned the Okada riders,” the statement said.
The Union also outlined ongoing interventions including nationwide sensitization programmes on road safety, licensing and responsible riding, collaboration with DVLA to provide mobile licensing services at subsidized rates, and the establishment of an electric motorcycle assembling initiative through the intervention of President Mahama to provide modern, environmentally friendly motorcycles to riders on a work-and-pay basis.
“We find it unfortunate that some individuals and groups are attempting to create the impression that Government has abandoned Okada riders. The CNMRU, led by Chairman Mohammed Tijani, has been actively engaged in this process and represents thousands of riders across the country,” the Union noted.
The leadership emphasized that their support for the NDC during the 2024 campaign was based on the party’s promise to legalize and regulate Okada operations, and that promise is being fulfilled.
“We did not support the NDC merely for political convenience. We supported a commitment, and today we are witnessing concrete steps toward fulfilling that commitment,” the statement added.
The Union therefore called on commercial motor riders, the media and the general public to distinguish between political propaganda and the actual work being done, stressing that while not all problems have been solved, it is inaccurate to claim that government has done nothing.
The press conference was jointly organised by National PRO Setsoafia Quarshie Pascal, Co-PRO Solomon Akpanaba, National Chairman Mohammed Tijani, General Secretary Abdul Razak Rahman, and National Organizer Abass Mustapha Ibn Chambas.
