The Okada War in Urban Ghana: A Polemic Issue or Policy Mismatch? African Studies Quarterly.
Date
2015-09
Authors
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Publisher
Center for African Studies, University of Florida.
Abstract
In recent years the government of Ghana and a section of civil society have
clashed over whether motorcycle taxis, christened okada, which are fast becoming a major
public transport mode, should be encouraged or not. In an apparent submission to public
pressure and in pursuance of sustainable urban development, the government eventually
enacted landmark legislation banning the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes.
Using stakeholders’ perspectives, this paper assesses the synergies and tensions between
the respective claims and counterclaims. Among the issues raised against okada are traffic
congestion, danger to public safety, and worsening environmental impact. Proponents of
okada extol the virtues of maneuverability, compatibility with bad roads, and demandresponsiveness.
This study does not discount these claims but rather posits that,
fundamentally, substantial allocative and technical inefficiencies have generated large
public transit deficits and severe highway congestion, thus creating a market niche for
okada. Our study highlights three major outcomes. First, it reaffirms the importance of
evidence-based policy making as a solution for sustainable development initiatives.
Second, it identifies the human security risks associated with a short-term vision and
how reactive regulations can prepare the ground for segregation and fragmented access
to the urban landscape. Third, it highlights the role of pressure groups and policy makers
in shaping and re-defining urban transportation landscapes in an isolated manner.
Rather than taking a systematic approach, such groups and policy makers react with little
consideration for their clients: the commuters. The findings corroborate our earlier
empirical studies, which revealed okada as an unofficial but thriving mobility option.
Description
Keywords
Okada, Ghana, public transport mode, transportation