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The Akyem Tafo District Police Command arrested dozens of Okada riders and confiscated their motorbikes a day after they massively welcomed Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate to John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in Abuakwa North. About 35 Okada riders were arrested on Thursday, the first day of the operation, which targeted riders without licenses and unregistered motorbikes.
David Kwame Akrofi, station chairman for the Okada Riders, told Kasapa News that the arrest was carried out by the police and officials from the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) office in Koforidua.
“The operation is politically motivated because we supported the NDC Running Mate when she came here. They arrested many of our people (Okada Riders). If you are able to pay GHC 500, they leave you; if you fail, they confiscate your motorbike,” David Akrofi said.
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang had visited Abuakwa North on June 26, 2020, receiving strong support from Okada riders, who led her convoy through various communities to show their backing for the NDC’s promise to legalize their operations.
John Dramani Mahama has also pledged to establish an electric motorbike assembly plant in Ghana if he wins the 2024 general elections, providing electric motorbikes on a hire-purchase basis for Okada riders.
The Okada business has created nearly one million jobs for the unemployed youth across the country.
The Abuakwa North Communications Officer of the NDC, Wahab Amadu, told Kasapa News the Akyem Tafo Police Command’s operation is politically motivated, carried out on “orders from above” to frustrate Okada riders due to their support for the NDC running mate.
He called on regional and national NDC executives to help secure bail for the arrested riders.
“The Okada President in Abuakwa North came to meet the parliamentary candidate that they had heard about the coming of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, so they wanted to show their support because John Mahama has assured to legalize their operations. So they collected party shirts and flags and massively welcomed the running mate. They were about 75 in number… Then the next day, they say instructions from above. About 35 motors were confiscated, and riders were arrested and detained without writing their statements,” said Wahab.
Wahab Amadu added, “The NPP is shaken by what they saw. That is why the Municipal Chief Executive Alhaji Bodinga and the parliamentary candidate Buffalo are pushing this evil agenda,” he said.
