The District Chief Executive of Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira in the Central Region, Mr. Kennedy Sarpong has tagged okada riders as the third in line of culprits responsible for teenage pregnancies recorded in his district.
He noted that statics available to him identified teachers as the chief offenders followed by drivers and okada riders.
“Some statistics from our area have revealed that with the teenage pregnancy we have been experiencing in the district, teachers are the first, drivers come second and okada riders, third” he confirmed.
Speaking on ATLFM on the deviance of the popular okada riders in the region, Mr. Sarpong said engaging in illicit affairs with young girls is one of the many problems associated with them, a situation he describes as worrying.
He said what is more disturbing is that these riders are not regulated and as a result makes it difficult to control their activities.
He again attributed the surge in some social vices in the district to activities of these okada riders.
“The activities of these okada people have also increased the level of thievery in our area. Quickly, they are able to maneuver their way through, pick whatever they want, and then they bolt.”
Describing their operations as illegal and life threatening especially in this period of the Covid19 outbreak, Mr Sarpong also appealed to Ghanaians to be committed to the fight against the deviant behaviors of these riders regardless of their political affiliation in order to help build a better Ghana.
Operators of rickshaws and other tricycles for commercial purposes in the Central Region were barred from conveying people from Thursday, April 2, 2020 as part of means of enforcing the social distancing protocol directed by government to stem the spread of the corona virus in the country.
read this: Aboboyaa, Okada Barred from carrying Passengers in Central Region
This directive has not been adhered to as riders are seen engaged in their normal commercial activities defying the social distancing protocols.
Activities of “Pragya” riders have gained popularity in the Cape Coast Metropolis with majority of the riders being the youth who have no alternative means of employment. Though it is a source of livelihood for many, others believe proper regulatory mechanisms will improve their services and better put them in check.
The Director of Research for the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) at the Ghana Police Service in February this year revealed that government will introduce a policy designed to regulate their activities.
SOURCE: LYDIA SEKYI ACQUAH/ATL FM ONLINE
