President John Dramani Mahama says the introduction of an electric motorcycle hire-purchase scheme would help reduce fuel burden on commercial motorcyclists (Okada Riders) to increase profitability.
Speaking during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Mahama emphasized that transitioning to electric motorcycles would reduce fuel costs, increase profits for riders while contributing to environmental sustainability.
“We will introduce electric motorcycles on a hire-purchase scheme to eliminate the use of petrol and make the business more profitable,” Mahama stated.
He said the scheme would ease the financial burden on Okada operators. “By shifting to electric motorcycles, riders can expect to save as electricity is cheaper than petrol and electric bikes generally require less maintenance”, he said.
This policy is in line with the government’s broader plan to regulate and formalize the Okada industry, which has remained largely informal despite its growing role in Ghana’s transport sector. Beyond economic benefits, the policy also aligns with Ghana’s green energy transition goals.
Also, the shift to electric motorcycles would help to reduce carbon emissions, contributing to cleaner air and better transportation systems.
“We are committed to empowering our youth and providing sustainable job opportunities through innovative policies like this,” Mahama stated.
