More than 100 motorcyclists engaged in courier and ride-hailing services took to the streets of Accra to protest alleged exploitation, demanding an end to “extortion and harassment by police officers.”
The riders, representing the Motorcycle Courier Union of Ghana and Concerned Riders Association of Ghana, also called for a reversal of policies requiring riders to be licensed through their ride-hailing partners rather than directly.
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Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Media General, Mr Carlos Adzie, a leading member of the group, said the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation had directed platforms like Yango and its partners to use their business licenses to cover riders’ personal motorbikes. He argued that this directive threatens the sustainability of their businesses, giving ride-hailing partners excessive control over individual riders.
Mr Adzie highlighted that only two foreign-owned companies operate under this partnership model, while Ghanaian firms like Cargo and Hubtel deal directly with riders. He questioned why foreign partners were given such authority, calling it a form of “enslavement”.
On the recent confiscation of motorcycles by the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission for licensing issues, Adzie labelled the move discriminatory, urging authorities to focus on public transport drivers engaging in courier work without proper licenses.
Another rider, Mr Andy Amoah, alleged constant harassment from police, claiming that riders are accosted, humiliated, and forced to pay bribes despite possessing all required documentation. “Police people no longer arrest Okada people. You can be there and the police will arrest you while leaving the Okada rider,” he said, emphasising the dangerous nature of their work.
The protesters announced plans to take their grievances to the Youth Employment Agency and the Yango office, seeking redress for the alleged injustices.
