Commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, in Accra, Ghana have raised concerns over alleged extortion by officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate (MTTD) during traffic enforcement operations. The riders claim they are sometimes asked to pay money without being given clear explanations for the alleged traffic offences. This has led to worries that the enforcement of traffic laws has, in some instances, become a source of abuse and alleged extortion.
According to one Okada rider who spoke to Citi News, officers sometimes demand varying amounts during enforcement operations. “All they say is they are doing an operation. They can take like GH¢100, and sometimes GH¢200,” the rider said. The riders also claim that after being stopped or arrested, they are sometimes given little explanation about the alleged offence. Some also allege that payments are demanded at police stations before their motorcycles are released.
Traffic offences in Ghana are governed by the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026, L.I. 2519, which set out offences and penalties for motorists, vehicle owners, commercial transport operators, motorcycle and tricycle riders, passengers and pedestrians. The offences include drink driving, speeding, jumping red lights, using a mobile phone while driving, and failing to use the required safety gear. However, the riders say the alleged extortion has a direct impact on their livelihoods because their motorcycles are their main source of income.
The concerns come amid wider scrutiny of alleged bribery involving police officers. Data released by the Ghana Statistical Service in August 2026 showed that the Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate recorded the highest bribery interaction rate among police units, at 54.6 per cent. This has led to calls for stronger measures to improve accountability in traffic enforcement. Anti-corruption campaigner Bright Ofori believes that the police should strengthen its disciplinary systems and make use of bodycams, as other countries have adopted.
The Ghana Police Service has also introduced TraffiTech-GH, an automated traffic law enforcement system designed to digitally monitor roads and support the enforcement of traffic regulations. The system is expected to reduce reliance on manual enforcement and improve transparency in the handling of traffic offences. However, for the Okada riders, the key concern remains how traffic laws are enforced, and they want officers to be held accountable while ensuring that riders are treated fairly during police operations.
The issue has also featured in recent disciplinary action by the Ghana Police Service. Seven officers in Accra were interdicted after a patrol team allegedly stopped a citizen, demanded an illicit payment and forced the victim to withdraw cash from an ATM. This incident highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in traffic enforcement. The riders are therefore calling for traffic enforcement to be conducted fairly and transparently.
The Okada riders' concerns have sparked a wider debate about the need for reform in traffic enforcement in Ghana. With the introduction of new road traffic regulations, there is a need for greater awareness and education on traffic laws and their enforcement. The government and the police service must work together to address the concerns of Okada riders and other stakeholders to ensure that traffic enforcement is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
Key points
- Okada riders in Accra, Ghana allege that police officers are extorting money from them during traffic enforcement operations.
- The riders claim they are sometimes asked to pay GH¢100 to GH¢200 without clear explanations for the alleged offences.
- The Ghana Police Service has introduced TraffiTech-GH, an automated traffic law enforcement system designed to improve transparency in traffic enforcement.
