UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Sadat Dabo
Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators who fail to comply with Ghana’s newly approved Legislative Instrument (LI) 2519 risk fines, loss of operating privileges and up to eight months imprisonment, the Upper East Regional Head of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Eric Anokye Fordjour, has warned
Speaking in a one-on-one interview on GBC URA Radio 89.7MHz “Ripples” Programme, hosted by Osman Masahudu Jinkor, Mr. Fordjour said the new regulation is aimed at bringing order, accountability and safety to Ghana’s rapidly expanding commercial motorcycle and tricycle transport sector
The warning comes against the backdrop of alarming road crash statistics
According to him, 2,974 people lost their lives in road crashes across Ghana in 2025, with 1,375 deaths involving motorcycles and tricycles nearly half of all road fatalities
“Almost half of those who died on our roads were killed through motorcycle related crashes. That is why it is necessary to regulate the sector,” he stressed
Tough New Requirements
Mr. Fordjour explained that operators have a 12-month transition period to comply with the new regulations before full enforcement begins
Among the mandatory requirements are :
Operators must be 21 years or older.
They must obtain a commercial rider’s licence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
Their motorcycles or tricycles must be re-registered as commercial vehicles with yellow number plates
Operators must obtain a Road Use Certificate, renewable every six months
Every rider must belong to a registered transport union recognised by the NRSA.
Riders must secure third-party insurance
Applicants must pass medical examinations, eye tests, theory and practical driving tests before receiving a commercial licence
He explained that people between 18 and 20 years may hold private riding licences but cannot legally operate commercial motorcycles or tricycles
Jail Term for Defaulters
Mr. Fordjour cautioned that operators who ignore the regulations after the grace period could face prosecution
“The law provides for fines ranging from 25 to 50 penalty units, and where necessary, offenders may be sentenced to up to eight months imprisonment,” he stated
He urged all commercial riders to begin the registration process immediately to avoid future sanctions
Regulation Not Meant to Destroy Jobs
Addressing concerns that the law could affect livelihoods, Mr. Fordjour argued that the regulation would instead improve employment opportunities by formalising the sector while protecting passengers
He acknowledged that motorcycles and tricycles have become an important source of income for many young people and women, particularly traders who use them to transport goods to and from markets
According to him, bringing the sector into the formal economy would improve service quality, enhance passenger protection and make operators more accountable
Concern Over Border Traffic
Mr. Fordjour also expressed concern over the growing congestion along the Paga border corridor, revealing that trucks are occupying nearly three kilometres of one side of the road due to delays in customs documentation from Burkina Faso
The situation, he noted, has reduced the highway to a single lane, creating dangerous conditions for motorists, especially motorcycle and tricycle riders.
He said stakeholders are working to establish a designated parking area for the trucks to ease congestion and improve road safety
Call for Public Cooperation
Mr. Fordjour appealed to commercial riders and the general public to cooperate with the NRSA and other stakeholders during the transition period
He said the Authority will continue its nationwide education campaign to ensure operators understand the new requirements before enforcement begins
“We want a future where road crashes reduce significantly and more lives are saved. That is the purpose of LI 2519,” he said
Source – gbcuraonline.com
