Okada Revolution: An illegitimate economic necessity?

The city of Accra is sooner or later going to become a Millennium City in the West African region, and the prospects of this will spark an economic revolution that not only deepens Ghana’s position as a country at the centre of the earth, but also as the Timbuktu of modern-day trade and commerce in actualising its place as the gateway to West Africa.

But, whether we like it or not, there is already a kind of revolution ongoing in our national capital. It is a mixed-blessing revolution that is on one hand seen to be facilitating transportation of people across the length and breadth of the capital, thereby reducing the menacing effects of traffic that serves as a hindrance to business, but also a headache for city authorities.

The mass use of motorcycles is not really new in Ghana. However, it is fast-becoming the cheapest and most convenient means of transport in the three regions of Northern Ghana. And in towns such as Wa, Bawku and Bolgatanga, where taxi services are not as common as they are in the cities of Accra and Kumasi, motorcycles are the only legitimate alternative.

The famous use of motorcycles by both sexes of all age groups in the Northern parts of Ghana not only underscores the economic viability of it, but also acts as a form of tourist attraction to anyone who visits the North - where almost all, youngsters and oldies, have their own motorcycles.

And Accra is not devoid of the use of motorcycles either, as many artisans and professionals ranging from public school teachers to steel-benders use them to manoeuver their way through the chronic traffic situations in the various business districts in our cities.

But the reconstruction of the bridge over the Odorna River three years ago linking the two sides of the city - thereby obstructing vehicular traffic in the city - has led to the temporary alternative use of motorcycles as a commercial means of transport by well-meaning youths of James Town and Chorkor slums to aid transportation.

Today, what was considered a temporary measure to ease traffic jams has graduated into a revolution of illegitimate commercial business engaged in by youth who disregard traffic regulations with gross impunity to make a ‘legitimate’ living.

Okada business, as it is notoriously called, has become entrenched - to the extent that the entire city is gradually being engulfed by motorcycle-riding youth - most of whom have no crash-helmets for themselves or their pillion-riders.

And the lucrative nature of the business, as a result of the high patronage during rush hours, has led to the mass ownership of motorbikes by individuals who engage the services of riders for agreed daily sales of GH¢10 and above.

Today, the reckless use of motorbikes, coupled with lack of crash helmets, is on the ascendency in the three Northern regions of the country - leading to numerous fatal accidents. The story is not different in the Accra metropolis as 22 Okada riders were arrested, and 42 motorbikes impounded on August 4th and 19th respectively by the MTTU.

The case for Okada

There are several logical arguments that go to validate the call for Okada to be legalised in our cities. The unplanned nature of Accra, coupled with the 18th century-model road network that has not made provision for recent influx of vehicles, leads to congested traffic at all times - which frustrate smooth business transactions and demands a legitimate solution.

Our cities are gradually getting engulfed by the culture of lawlessness. And day in day out, most of the major roads linking the business districts are blocked indiscriminately by people without police permits for purposes of festivals, funerals and outdoorings without thought to the economic effects it has on the urban economy.

The Okada business, notwithstanding the flaws thereof, is playing a crucial role in giving employment to the army of unemployed youths in our city slums - who have no formal employable skills to generate regular income for the upkeep of their unplanned, increasing, families.

Okada is also considerably cost-effective for the average civil servant whose old rickety high fuel-consumption car cannot help minimise costs by having to leaving the engine running in traffic; thereby wasting their hard-earned scarce resources on fuel.

Two wrongs definitely do not make a right, though. But time is money and a very expensive non-renewable resource. And if the Okada business, illegal as it may be, can be properly managed to help the worker in the Ministry maximise time to contribute to national productivity, there is a need to review it and give the necessary legal backing.

The case against Okada

As much as there are legitimate reasons why Okada should be legalised, there are other equally important reservations because of which city authorities and sections of civil society believe the business must not be allowed to take root in our cities.
A few years ago, motorbikes with unauthorised number-plates were used by armed robbers to perpetrate crimes in several parts of our cities throughout the nation - thereby endangering the peace and security of people and businesses in our towns and cities.

Interaction with officials of the National Road Safety Commission has revealed that the Commission has engaged the services of a consultant on the way forward regarding the upsurge of the practice in the country, as well as strong warnings from neignbouring countries impressing on government not to legitimise Okada due to the dangers involved.

But whether we like it or not, the Okada business has come to stay with us - and the earlier we find a way of streamlining the system to minimise the adverse effects of it on our society, the better it will be for the good of the country.

Apart from the economic impact of Okada on our cities, the practice is gradually gaining nationwide patronage - especially in our rural areas where roads are virtually impassable and vehicles totally non- existent.

It not only serves as a means of transporting goods and services from deprived communities to nearby towns and market centres, but also as a crucial means of transporting the sick, pregnant women in labour, and villagers bitten by snakes in farming communities where health facilities are non-existent, to nearby clinics and health posts.

Facing the reality

We may not all be comfortable with the reality on the ground. But the fact remains that though Okada is illegal in Ghana, it is an economic necessity we cannot shy away from. It is the cheapest and most convenient means of transport compared to taxis; and it is manoeuverable, facilitating easy movement for economic productivity.

Its use for commercial purposes is absolutely illegal in Ghana. But its role as a substitute for non-existent ambulances in conveying sick taxpayers from deprived areas of the country to the nearest hospital or clinic is morally justifiable.

Fighting the Okada revolution is tantamount to fighting a lost battle, because it is fast-becoming the most convenient means of survival for the poor majority whose frustrations are continually deepened by the difficult economic situations of the day.

However, the joint intervention of the National Road Safety Commission and the MTTU in adopting a creative means by which the Okada business is coordinated through stringent registration and licencing procedures, with regular training for motorbike riders, will rather ensure sanity for national productivity.

This recent development may not directly affect our urban economy positively or negatively. But the degree of seriousness we attach to it, and the priority we give, will determine how best we maximise this phenomenon for national development.

Source:b&ft