A group of courier motor riders has petitioned the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) over what they describe as unfair licensing fees and arrests carried out by the Ghana Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission.
The riders stormed the YEA offices in Accra to present their grievances directly to the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Malik Basintale, after enforcement actions the previous day led to the seizure of several motorbikes.
The Ghana Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission launched a strict operation targeting unlicensed operators. The Commission said the move was necessary to sanitize the courier industry, but it sparked frustration among riders who insist the system is working against them.
The petitioners argued that the cost of acquiring a courier license was too high for young riders who already earn very little. They highlighted what they see as a lack of fairness in the regulatory framework, pointing out that drivers for ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt operate with only their driver’s licenses, while courier riders are compelled to obtain additional, costly documentation.
They described this requirement as discriminatory and called for a review. In their petition, they stressed that without intervention, many riders could lose their livelihoods, a development they warned would worsen unemployment levels among young people in the country.
“Many of us cannot afford these charges. We are struggling to survive already, and the arrests only make things worse. We are simply asking for fair treatment and an opportunity to work without fear of harassment”
Courier Motor Riders
The riders appealed to YEA CEO Malik Basintale to intervene on their behalf and engage the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission to review the fees. Their call placed the issue directly on the desk of the Agency tasked with creating jobs and reducing unemployment in Ghana.
YEA CEO Steps In
Malik Basintale welcomed the riders and assured them that their concerns had been heard. He expressed gratitude for their decision to approach his office to formally register their grievances and disclosed that he personally related to their plight as he also rides a motorcycle.
He emphasised the importance of courier services to the Ghanaian economy, noting that their work supports customers who rely on delivery services daily. “We must protect your ability to continue this work,” he stated.
Mr. Basintale further revealed that he had already engaged stakeholders on the matter. He disclosed that he had spoken with the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Sam George, who also serves as Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, regarding the issue of courier riders’ arrests.
“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 confirmed. His assurance came as welcome news to the riders, who had described the clampdown as a threat to their survival.
The temporary suspension of arrests provides some relief, though the riders remain firm in their demand for a permanent reduction in licensing fees.
The Road Ahead
The standoff between the riders and the regulatory body highlights growing tensions within Ghana’s expanding courier industry, which has seen significant growth driven by e-commerce and the increasing reliance on delivery services.
While the Commission insists that regulation is necessary to bring order to the sector, the riders argue that enforcement must take into account their economic realities.
The Youth Employment Agency now finds itself positioned as a mediator, tasked with bridging the gap between the needs of the riders and the regulatory requirements of the Commission. With the temporary suspension of arrests, all eyes are on the Agency’s next steps to ensure that dialogue leads to practical reforms.
As the riders left the YEA offices, their petition left a clear message: regulation without fairness threatens livelihoods.
Their call for equitable treatment underscores the larger national conversation on how best to balance industry standards with economic inclusivity in Ghana’s digital and courier economy.
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