Ghana’s urban delivery market is facing operational strain as motorcycle couriers report arbitrary arrests, impoundments and alleged extortion by police, a trend the Motorcycle Couriers Union of Ghana (MCUG) says is already disrupting last-mile fulfilment for retailers, e-commerce platforms, restaurants and B2B users.
In a petition dated 27 October 2025, the union told the National Youth Authority (NYA) that members continue to face “incessant harassment and intimidation” from officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) at Tesano despite operating legally.
The letter, signed by General Secretary, Abugri Timothy Agengri, said some riders have been “arrested arbitrarily, detained, and their motorcycles impounded without due process,” leading to missed delivery deadlines and income loss.
“This treatment is unfair and unjustified, and we urge your office to intervene,” the petition said.
MCUG is asking the NYA to press for an immediate halt to police actions, to establish a multi-stakeholder committee to review the conflict, and to ensure the committee’s recommendations are enforced to prevent recurrence and stabilise working relations.
The union argues the situation has evolved from a labour issue into a business-risk problem for companies that rely on same-day delivery. Motorcycle couriers form the backbone of Accra’s fast-growing logistics layer, servicing banks, food-delivery apps, retail warehouses and SME trade, and interruptions raise both cost and reliability risks across the supply chain.
MCUG wrote that it believes the NYA is “well-positioned” to help protect riders’ rights and restore predictability to the market. “We look forward to your prompt attention to this petition and a favourable response,” the General Secretary added.
The complaint adds to wider calls for policy clarity on the treatment of commercial riders, as stakeholders warn that enforcement without clear rules can distort pricing, erode service uptime and undermine investment in Ghana’s last-mile delivery ecosystem.
Statement from Motorcycle Couriers Union of Ghana to NYA below:
