I've directed immediate halt of Police crackdown on delivery riders — Sam George

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has ordered the suspension of a joint enforcement exercise targeting unlicensed delivery riders in Accra, following chaotic scenes and widespread public backlash.

The exercise, carried out by the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC) in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, saw dozens of motorcycles seized on Thursday, August 21. Tensions boiled over near the National Theatre, where clashes between security officials and angry riders were captured in a viral video that triggered heated public debate.

In a post on X, Mr. George defended the principle behind the operation but conceded that the execution was premature. He explained that the enforcement was "a necessary activity to bring some sanity and order to the use of motorbikes for delivery purposes as stipulated by law."

Despite this, the Minister insisted on an immediate halt. “I have directed this afternoon an immediate halt to the ongoing enforcement action by the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission,” he declared.

He admitted that while the enforcement was legally justified, it lacked sufficient preparation and stakeholder involvement. “I believe the Commission needs to do more stakeholder engagements and public sensitisation before the enforcement activities commence. We must enforce the law with a humane face to it,” he wrote.

Mr. George further assured that he would convene a stakeholder meeting in the coming days to map out a more comprehensive and widely accepted roadmap for implementing the regulations.

The directive comes as a relief to delivery riders across the capital, many of whom had been blindsided by the sudden crackdown. For now, they can continue their work without fear of seizure, pending the outcome of fresh consultations.