Journal of
African Studies and Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Afr. Stud. Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2189
  • DOI: 10.5897/JASD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 243

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing motorcycle taxis as transport option in the urban life of African cities: The case of Accra, Ghana

Seth Appiah-Opoku
  • Seth Appiah-Opoku
  • Department of Geography, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa-Alabama, United States.
  • Google Scholar
Kwaku Karikari Manu
  • Kwaku Karikari Manu
  • Department of Geography, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa-Alabama, United States.
  • Google Scholar
Lord Ebow Sampson
  • Lord Ebow Sampson
  • Department of Geography, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa-Alabama, United States.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 15 August 2024
  •  Accepted: 18 December 2024
  •  Published: 31 January 2025

Abstract

Increasingly, motorcycle taxis are offering convenient and affordable means of navigating congested and inaccessible urban road systems in Africa. They play a vital role in the transportation systems in some African cities. Popularly referred to as “Okada” in Ghana and Nigeria, motorcycle taxis are heavily patronized because of their obvious strengths as compared to other transportation systems. Using mixed-methods approach, this paper evaluates the socioeconomic impact of motorcycle taxi operations and identifies key challenges and opportunities within the urban context of Accra, Ghana. The study reveals that motorcycle taxi operation is a male-dominated sector; primarily employing young individuals aged 20 to 40. It serves as a significant source of employment, offering decent income and stability, especially for those otherwise facing unemployment challenges. The challenges include high accident rate, exposure to the vagaries of the weather, susceptibility to police harassment, and negative public perceptions. Opportunities include high demand as a flexible urban transport option and a good source of investment. Policy implications include the need to formalize its operations, introduce training programs for riders covering safety and driving regulations, and provide infrastructural improvements to streamline motorcycle use in cities.
 
Key words: Motorcycle taxis, urban transportation, socioeconomic impact, unemployment, convenience.