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Over 2m ‘Okada’ riders operating?
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Okada man
There are currently over 2 million registered commercial motor riders, popularly known as ‘Okada riders’ operating in the country across all 16 regions; even the remotest part of the country.
That huge number notwithstanding, they have been unsuccessful in courting support from the public to get the appropriate Act of Parliament to legalise their activities.
The national Spokesperson for the Okada Riders Association of Ghana (ORAG), Mr Solomon Akpanaba, told The Spectator, that remains a major headache for the association.
“We provide an essential service that makes it possible for people to move from one place to the other to carry out their activities. In so doing, we also contribute to Ghana’s socioeconomic growth but sadly, the public has not backed our calls to legalise our operations.”
Mr Akpanaba told The Spectator in an interview that Okada riding had to a large extent helped to reduce youth unemployment cases and believes that it was time a serious consideration was giving to it by government to make their profession legal.
He said instead of quickly accusing them of being reckless on the road and being a threat to road safety, the authorities should rather put measures in place to train them to ride safely and observe the road signs.
The national Spokesperson said currently, although there were uncountable number of driving schools, no effort was being made to get a school with certified instructors to train motor riders.
He said having riding schools with certified instructors would be helpful in this regard, explaining that the riders would therefore be licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) recommendation from such instructors.
He said at the moment, the training of the riders remains the responsibility of the ORAG.
According to him, training and regulating their activities could deal with the school of thought that their members also use their cycles to engage in robbery because every single member can be tracked and their activities monitored.
“We also need the motorbikes registration numbers designed to fit commercial purposes so that the difference between a commercial and non-commercial motor riders will be distinctive,” he explained.
He said if they were given numbers based on their locations, it would even make it easier for the association, its members and the public to monitor them to do what is right.
He disclosed that even though they were compelled to insure their motorbikes, whenever they were involved in an accident, they were told by insurance companies that they do not qualify for insurance benefits due to the position of the law on commercial riding.
Mr Akpanaba said Okada riding had come to stay based on the assessment of the invaluable services they provide and so the time has come for the state to regularise them instead of attempting to scrape them off.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.
The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.
It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.
“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.
The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.
The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.
The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.
By: Jacob Aggrey
