Ladies and gentlemen ,it would be recalled that we the members of the Coalition of Okada Riders and Owners Association of Ghana (COROAG) in our press release on the 3rd September, 2020, sought to know the official position of the ruling NPP government regarding the legalisation and regulation of our business. Subsequently, the President of the republic H.E. Akuffo Addo is on record to have said that his administration will not legitimise Okada. We also heard top government officials including the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah intimating that the next NPP government would completely phase out our business come 2021.
Few days ago, the NDC, through their Leader reiterated their position to legalise and regularise our business. To us, it was refreshing to hear from the NDC reassuring us that when given the opportunity to lead again they will ensure our business is legitimized, this their position we consider timely , consistent and responsive to our long standing calls for the legalization of our business. Soon after that, the Transport Minister came out to say his ministry was already on a road map to legitimise our business.
To us, this U-turn cannot be in good faith. We wish to state emphatically that neither our leadership nor our members were engaged by any ministry for dialogue , instead we consider this attempt from government spontaneous ,a knee jeck response to an overwhelming endorsement of the call to legitimize our business .
To us, the ruling NPP government’s sudden change of posturing on this matter is just a vote buying gimmick.
At our recent meeting we have resolved and wish to by this statement ;
1. Declare our full support for the opposition NDC in the run up to the 2020 general election having involved us in deliberations towards the launch of their manifesto and subsequently considering our request in their 2020 manifesto.
2. Call on all our members across the country to promote and vote massively for the NDC in order to save our business and livelihood.
3. We have tasked our team of experts to research into some modules to advise us on policy proposals to other stakeholders.
Signed:
ALBERT ELIKEM FIA
0249952156
CONVENER
KELVIN KOKROKO
0249962538
PRO
JEMIMA BOAKYE YIADOM
MEMBER ASHANTI TAFO
JIBRIL OSAM
NORTHERN REGION
SAMUEL KOFINTI
EASTERN REGION
BOATENG ERIC
GREATER ACCRA
ANDY KORANKYE
ASHANTI REGION
TO: All Media Houses
