Promote Chief Inspector Darkor Now – Okada Riders Tell IGP

The Ghana Okada Riders Association is calling on the Inspector General of Police to immediately promote Chief Inspector Samuel Nii Darkor of East Legon Hills Police Station, citing his transformational leadership in building trust between police and okada riders.

Association President Michael Kofi Owusu said Chief Inspector Darkor’s approach has set a new standard for community policing in Accra by treating riders as partners in safety rather than as criminals.

“Chief Inspector Samuel Nii Darkor and his team at East Legon Hills are helping okada riders in ways we have not seen before,” Mr. Owusu said. “Instead of constant harassment and impoundment of our bikes, he sits with us, listens to our concerns, and works with us on road safety and order.

Under Darkor’s leadership, the station has introduced regular safety briefings that focus on helmet use, responsible riding, and compliance with traffic regulations. Riders who follow the rules are encouraged, while those who fall short receive education and a chance to improve before facing sanctions.

“This kind of leadership builds trust between the police and riders,” Mr. Owusu said. “Most of our members now feel that the police are there to protect us, not just to arrest us. It has reduced confrontations and improved discipline among the riders.

The initiative has also had a direct impact on security in East Legon Hills. Okada riders operate late into the night and move through every part of the community, making them first responders of a sort when suspicious activity occurs. With improved cooperation, many now share intelligence with the police to help prevent crime.

“We carry passengers every day. We know the streets and we know who does not belong,” Mr. Owusu said. “Chief Inspector Darkor has made us feel that our role matters and that we are part of keeping the community safe.”

Mr. Owusu said the East Legon Hills model should be replicated across the country at a time when okada riding remains a key source of income for thousands of young Ghanaians. He argued that a collaborative approach yields better results than an adversarial one.

“I am appealing to the Inspector General of Police to take note of what Chief Inspector Samuel Nii Darkor is doing and promote him without delay,” Mr. Owusu said. “Promotion will send a strong signal that good policing and community engagement are rewarded at the highest level.”

He was clear that the call for recognition does not mean riders want to be exempt from the law. “We are not asking to be above the law. We are asking to be treated fairly and to be part of the solution,” he stressed.

The Association says it will continue to educate its members on road safety while working closely with the East Legon Hills Police to maintain peace and order for both riders and passengers.