Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, to be reviewed to legalise ‘Okada’ business

The Ministry of Transport has initiated steps for the revision of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), to provide a comprehensive framework for the use of motorcycles and tricycles for fare-paying passenger services.

Under the new regulations, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) would be required to issue commercial driving/riding licenses. Thus, the training of applicants is one of the key requirements that cannot be compromised.

The Sector Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, during the opening ceremony of the mid-year review conference of the DVLA at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region.

The five-day conference aimed at reviewing the half-year activities of the DVLA and developing new strategies for the future is themed: “Resetting DVLA for an efficient and Effective 24-hour operation”.

“It is my expectation that the authority will come out with the operational modalities for the training of commercial drivers and riders of commercial motorcycles or tricycles”, the minister said.

Mr Nikpe said the ministry was committed to the full implementation of the government’s 24-hour economic policy, saying “we have set in motion plans to enhance the governance and regulatory frameworks to empower agencies under the ministry to fulfil their mandates effectively.

However, he stated that the key to their collective success lies in commitment, discipline, and prudent use of limited resources. Therefore, he urged the DVLA’s management to play a vital role in resetting the agenda.

Standardisation of laws
The minister further urged the DVLA to be vigilant about developments in the sub-region and mentioned that the United Nations had developed various conventions and agreements to enhance global road safety.

Notable among them are the 1949 and 1968 Conventions on Road Traffic, the 1968 Convention on Road Signs and Signals, among others.

These instruments, the minister said, provide a common framework for countries to accelerate the implementation of national, regional and continental road safety programmes.

He emphasised that the ministry was taking steps for Ghana to accede to these UN Conventions, which would improve road safety regulations while also creating job opportunities, particularly for drivers, as Ghana’s standards would align with international best practices.

He emphasised the vital role of the DVLA in ensuring that vehicles using various roads are roadworthy, stating “it is therefore important that the DVLA strengthens its collaboration with all key stakeholders who operate within the road environment”.

Clearing backlog
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, stated that since taking office, the new leadership has made it a priority to formalise operational efficiency within the authority to fulfil its mandate.

In the DVLA’s concerted effort to reduce road accidents, he mentioned that the authority had expanded its compliance team to enforce better the laws governing the DVLA for everyone’s benefit.

Additionally, Mr Kotey said the authority has taken bold steps to operationalise additional offices, particularly the Bole office in the Savanna Region, to bring services closer to the people.

He announced that plans are far advanced to open offices at Dormaa, Osu, Tema Community one and 10, Nkoranza, Teshie Nungua, Ashaiman, Dansoman, Akwatia, Asamankese among others.

In a remark, the Board Chairman of DVLA, George Spencer Quaye, encouraged the staff to share their ideas, insights and expertise to work together to reposition the DVLA as a modern, technology-driven institution that would deliver world-class services to the people of Ghana.

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