Children drop out of school to operate okada business

Most youngsters of school going age have dropped out of school and had taken to “Okada “operations at Akorabo, Kukua, Amega, Kwenhyia and Kwaonartey townships, all in the Suhum Municipality.

The boys start work as early as 0600 hours and operate till night.

Abrantehene of Kwaonartey, Nana Kwaku Bekoe popularly known as “Gbaga”, disclosed this at a meeting with parents of the ‘okada’ boys at Kwaonartey.

He said some of the boys do not assist their parents in the house and even do not accompany them to their farms.

Nana Bekoe observed that, the boys could be useful to their parents, community and the country if they are able to go back to school.

He said, though the okada helps people in the rural areas in their transportation, parents should not allow their children to operate the okada business at the expense of their education.

Nana Bekoe observed that, apart from the inconvenience that the okada pose to drivers on the road, most of the boys do not have licenses to operate and use the motorbikes, which are also not insured.

He said in case of an accident, the passengers could not claim any insurance.

The Odikro said last year, 25 people got injured in motor accident in the area with some of the victims being permanently physically challenged

He gave example of one madam Adwoa Maku and the daughter who were injured in a motorbike accident and have now become disabled with broken legs and have been deserted by the owners of the okada.

Nana Bekoe expressed concern about some prominent people in the area who buy the motorbikes for the boys to operate the okada business, whilst their children go to school.