Parliament has passed the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, 2025, officially legalising the commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles in Ghana. The legislation aims to formalise the sector, create employment opportunities for youth, and improve road safety.
The bill, which completed all parliamentary readings and committee reports, sets the minimum riding age at 21, lower than the initially proposed 25, allowing younger operators to enter the commercial transport sector. It also revises the legal alcohol limit for drivers and introduces stricter penalties to curb drunk driving.
MPs raised additional concerns, including the need for dedicated lanes for commercial riders, environmental impacts, and appropriate age requirements for operators.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nukpe said the bill seeks to bring order to a sector long plagued by informal operations. “We have had several issues involving road users, and this bill aims to introduce stricter punishment, enhance safety measures, and ensure the effective and efficient use of our roads,” he stated.
The legislation is expected to regularise over one million informal operators, providing a clear framework for licensing, training, protective gear, and enforcement. With Ghana recording roughly 2,000 road deaths annually, motorcycles remain a major contributor, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.
The Transport Ministry will soon issue guidelines on commercial licensing and enforcement timelines, marking the beginning of a new regulatory era for Ghana’s commercial motorbike and tricycle industry.
