The Ghana Standards Authority has announced tighter inspections on motorcycle helmets entering the country following the introduction of national helmet standards, aiming to protect riders amid the formalisation of commercial motorcycle operations.
The move comes after Parliament approved the regulation of Okada operations, raising concerns over substandard helmets linked to rising rider injuries and fatalities. Speaking at a sensitisation meeting with commercial riders in Accra, Mr. Kingsley Domena Yeboah of the GSA explained that the new national standard (GS 4512:2025) gives authorities a clear legal basis to reject unsafe helmets at ports of entry.
Enforcing Safety at the Source
“Before now, there was no standard, so you couldn’t even say what was substandard,” Mr. Yeboah said. “Now, helmets must have a Certificate of Conformance. Importers who fail to meet the requirements will be blocked from entry.”
The GSA is collaborating with spare parts dealers and monitoring importers, including those supplying markets such as Abossey Kai, to prevent low-grade helmets from circulating. A moratorium period was provided to allow suppliers to comply before enforcement begins, ensuring that helmets meet quality, construction, and safety requirements.
Riders Call for Affordable, Comfortable Helmets
National Commercial Motor Riders Union leaders welcomed the standard but emphasised rider involvement and affordability. National Secretary AbdulRazak Rahman highlighted that many helmets currently sold crack easily and lack ventilation, stressing the need for protective yet comfortable gear. National Chairman Mohammed Tijani echoed calls for practicality and accessibility, while National PRO Solomon Akpanaba noted that rider training is as important as helmet quality in preventing crashes.
Reducing Crash Fatalities
Officials stressed that head injuries are the leading cause of motorcycle deaths, and proper helmets could reduce fatalities by approximately 40 percent. Regions such as Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Eastern have recorded high crash rates due to heavy traffic and fast highway corridors, making enforcement of the new standard urgent.
With commercial motorcycling now legalised, authorities and rider groups agree that the combined use of certified helmets, QR code verification, and rider training will be essential to safeguarding lives on Ghanaian roads.
