The Greater Accra Regional Okada Riders Association has refuted claims that okada riders are involved in robbery in the capital city.
Speaking in an interview with Kwadwo Sefa-Dankwah on Happy 98.9 FM’s Happy on Wheels at Agbogbloshie Market, the Greater Accra Regional Deputy Organizer for the Okada Riders Association, Abdulai Rauf, debunked allegations that okada riders, particularly those in Agbogbloshie Market, engage in robbery and phone snatching.
He emphasized that the more than 500 okada riders operating in the Agbogbloshie Market are primarily there to assist market women and traders with transporting their goods and providing door-to-door delivery services, not to engage in criminal activities.
Mr. Rauf asserted that okada riders in the area are responsible individuals who start their day with the goal of earning an honest living to support their families. However, he acknowledged that some criminals use motorcycles for robbery, leading to the mistaken identity of legitimate okada riders.
He advised the public to always hire okada riders from designated stations rather than picking random riders off the roadside to avoid falling victim to theft.
He noted that the Okada Riders Association in Agbogbloshie Market operates about 205 stations, where all riders are registered with their names, ID cards and contact details, ensuring proper monitoring and accountability.