A group of courier motor riders has petitioned the Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, over what they describe as discriminatory and unaffordable licensing fees imposed by the Ghana Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission.
The petition follows a strict enforcement exercise launched by the Commission on Tuesday, August 20, in Accra, which targeted unlicensed courier operators. Several motorbikes were seized during the operation, which officials said was part of efforts to sanitise the courier industry.
In protest, the riders, together with their union, stormed the offices of the YEA on Wednesday, August 21, to formally register their displeasure.
The aggrieved riders argued that the cost of acquiring a courier licence was unreasonably high, especially given their low incomes. They contrasted their situation with e-hailing drivers on platforms such as Uber and Bolt, who are only required to operate with a valid driver’s licence without additional costly permits.
They described this disparity as discriminatory and warned that many riders risk losing their livelihoods if the licensing regime is not reviewed.
“Unlike Uber and Bolt drivers, we are being compelled to pay for additional licences we cannot afford. This is unfair,” the petitioners stressed.
Receiving the petition, YEA CEO Malik Basintale expressed gratitude to the riders for directly engaging his office, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed.
“I understand your plight because I also ride a motorcycle. Your services are crucial since you make life easier for customers who rely on doorstep deliveries,” he said.
Mr Basintale revealed that he had already discussed the matter with the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, who subsequently issued a directive to suspend the arrests of courier riders.
“I placed a call to Sam George today, and the arrest of courier riders has been suspended to pave the way for further engagement,” he disclosed.
The suspension of enforcement offers temporary relief to courier riders, but the broader issue of licence costs remains unresolved. Stakeholder consultations are expected to be held in the coming days to find a middle ground between regulation, affordability, and sustaining jobs in the courier industry.
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