Helmet for Life: Why Ghana must make every ride a safer one

Every day across Ghana, thousands of people hop onto commercial motorbikes, popularly known as Okada, to beat traffic, reach workplaces, schools and markets, or access communities where conventional transport is unavailable. For many, these motorcycles have become an indispensable part of daily life. Yet every journey carries a risk, and far too often, that risk is made worse by the simple decision not to wear a helmet. Road crashes continue to claim lives and leave many others with life-altering injuries. Among the most vulnerable are commercial motorbike riders and their passengers, many of whom either do not own helmets or choose not to wear them despite the well-known dangers.