The Founding Partner of OkadaMotto and former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu Central, Ras Mubarak has underscored the company’s commitment to enhancing road safety and formalising the okada industry in Ghana.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of OkadaMotto’s five-day motorcycle training programme, Mubarak highlighted key initiatives, including the distribution of uniforms, helmets, and reflectors to trainees, as well as the introduction of electric motorbikes for top-performing riders.
“We’re giving them the uniforms, the reflectors, and the helmets—all for free—as part of our efforts to ensure discipline among our riders and eliminate the insecurity associated with motorbike transportation,” Mubarak stated.
Mubarak disclosed that OkadaMotto is in discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to introduce a demerit point system aimed at curbing reckless riding.
He stressed that only licensed riders will be allowed on the company’s app, with OkadaMotto facilitating insurance coverage and license acquisition for riders without proper documentation.
“One of the advantages of our app is that we take riders through strict checks, including verifying whether they have a valid license. If they don’t, we help facilitate the process to ensure they meet all legal requirements,” he explained.
He also revealed that the company is exploring partnerships with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to educate riders on social security contributions, ensuring they benefit from formal social protection schemes.
“SSNIT is not just for white-collar workers. Informal sector workers, including okada riders, can contribute and enjoy the benefits, especially in cases of accidents or retirement,” Mubarak noted.
As part of efforts to promote sustainable transport, OkadaMotto awarded four electric motorbikes from Zerosol to the best-performing trainees, highlighting the economic benefits of using eco-friendly alternatives.
“Going green is the future. Riders spend an average of GHS 60-100 daily on fuel, but with electric bikes, they will only need to charge them at any available charging port. This will reduce their costs to as little as GHS 5-10 per charge,” Mubarak explained.
OkadaMotto App to go live on March 7
Mubarak also announced that the OkadaMotto ride-hailing app will officially launch in Ghana on March 7, 2025, after a successful pilot in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“We have tested the app in Liberia, where it was launched by the Vice President. It has been working well, and now, we are set to roll it out in Ghana,” he stated.
The app will enable passengers to book rides instantly, track their riders in real-time, and make secure payments, addressing concerns about safety and reliability.
To boost public confidence, all OkadaMotto riders will wear branded uniforms and reflectors, making them easily identifiable.
“For those who feel hesitant about using okada, from March, they should look out for riders in OkadaMotto uniforms and download the app to book safe and reliable rides,” Mubarak assured.
With these initiatives, OkadaMotto aims to formalise and sanitise the okada sector, providing a safer, regulated, and efficient mode of transport while contributing to job creation and youth empowerment in Ghana.