Stonebwoy Denies NDC …Says He Has Not Endorsed ‘Okada’ Campaign

Afro-Dancehall Singer, Livingstone Etse Satekla, mostly known as Stonebwoy, says he has not endorsed the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) campaign promise to legalize and regulate the commercial operation of motorbike business known as ‘Okada’ if the party wins the December general elections.

The artiste insists he has no affiliation with any political party either in government or in opposition in the country.

The “Putuu” hit-maker’s clarification comes on the back of a re-circulation of a three year-old video of him patronizing the service of an Okada (commercial motorbike).

Old Video

Stonebwoy’s old video resurfaced and went viral on social after the NDC launched its manifesto on Monday, September 7.

The said video was linked to Stonebwoy’s Okada ride with many suggesting that it was an endorsement for John Mahama’s campaign promise to legalise and regulate the Okadd transport business.

However, reacting to the issue on social media platform-Twitter yesterday, the “Putuu” hit-maker flatly denied any connection with the NDC.

He stated: “My attention has been drawn to a 3-year-old video of me riding on an Okada which is being publicized as an endorsement for a political party.”

“I disassociate myself from this… Please, I beg this is not in any way an endorsement for any political party,” he added.

Meanwhile, the NDC also made some seventeen promises for the creative arts sector where Stonebwoy is a key member

Okada Promise

Former President John Dramani Mahama has given the strongest indication that the next NDC government will legalize the commercial operation of ‘Okada’ when voted into power in 2021.
According to him, the Okada business has become a means of sustenance for young people who are unemployed.

Addressing party faithfuls during his tour of Kpando in the Volta Region, recently, he stated that “our law says okada is illegal, but it is a reality it has come to stay and you can’t stop it. So, I say when we come into office, we legalize it but we will regulate it.”

Anyone interested in pursuing an okada business will be trained and also educated to obey all needed traffic regulations, John Mahama added.

Currently, the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes is banned by Ghana’s laws.

Section 128 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2180), states: “The licensing authority shall not register a motorcycle to carry a fare-paying passenger.”

Nonetheless, the NDC flagbearer said legalizing the operation will give other youths the opportunity to work and also do their business safely.

In 2019, the governing NPP said it was reviewing the law banning the commercial operation of motorbikes.