Why women in Tamale refuse to wear helmets when riding motorbikes

The capital city of the Northern Region, Tamale is undoubtedly one of the most populated zones in Ghana with innumerable motorbikes.

The sight of motorbikes in the region is one to behold if you grew up or have ever lived in the Southern part of Ghana.

As if that is not enough, you will be in awe of the ladies you see riding these bikes and the ease with which they operate them.

But one downside to all these ladies riding motorbikes is the fact that they hardly wear a safety helmet for protection.

Though they are aware of the dangers of not wearing the safety helmet, the women gladly ride round town without them

According to them, it is a norm to ride through Tamale without helmets but once they are going out of the city, they use their helmets.

Nafisa told GhanaWeb that, “when you wear it and other people don’t wear it, they look at you as if you are a different kind of person”.

Tamale is mostly inhabited by the Mole-Dagomba linguistic group. It is a nodal city that serves as convergence zone as well as the commercial capital of the three northern regions.

It is one city in Ghana where you can find an architectural blend of traditional slum and modern buildings with a hospitable people with a great respect for their traditional political system.

In Tamale, one can be treated to both local and exotic cuisines in any of its 2 or 3 star hotels like Gariba Lodge, Mariam Hotel etc. The city happens to be the cereal, Yam and Meat breadbasket of the country so these sell cheaply in the local markets.

Tamale is reputed to be one of the fastest growing cities in West Africa. Even though limited in natural resources, seasonal farming is the major occupation of the natives who receive strangers with open arms.