The Dean of University of Cape Coast Business School, Prof. John Gatsi has once again thrown his support behind NDC’s proposal to legalize the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes whiles urging critics of the proposal not to insult Okada riders and those who support the idea.
In an article published on awakenewsroom.com, the economist said the “legalizing and regulating Okada vs armed robbery: the context is not the same”.
He argues that “During political campaign tours of Presidential and Vice President candidates, hundreds of motorbikes are used. Okada riders are used. Politicians in both NPP and NDC are buying and distributing motorbikes to their supporters ordinarily for Okada business and to support their campaigns. On election days in the past and during the recent voter registration exercise, both NDC and NPP executives made use of Okada to transport people from their homes and distant places to be able to participate in the exercise.”
Explaining further, he said “Okada is patronized by traders, farmers, community health nurses and teachers who live in one village/ town but work in another village. In some rural areas, Okada transports some farmers to their farms in the morning and pick them up in the evening. Okada is a major means of transportation in rural areas in Ghana.”
Prof. John Gatsi dismissed the argument that legalizing Okada could promote armed robbery adding that Okada is not carried with arms and the intention to harm anyone whereas armed robbery does and thus must be separated from the argument.
“Armed robbery, on the other hand, is carried out with the intention to harm without prior bargain and agreement. It is an intentional act to forcefully take the possessions of other people and subject them to beating, harm and psychological trauma. Thus, it is unfortunate to compare the socioeconomic and developmental dimensions of Okada to armed robbery. Legalizing armed robbery means empowering people to intentionally kill, beat and forcefully take away the possessions of others without punishment.”
Read the full article:
Legalizing and Regulating Okada vs Armed Robbery: The Context is not the same
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com