Riders operating under Green Wheels’ work-and-pay scheme are calling for greater freedom and more transparent terms, saying the financial and operational pressure they face is making it increasingly difficult to earn a living while meeting their weekly payments.
The riders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, want the company to allow them to decide whether to join a fleet arrangement or operate independently, arguing that they should be able to manage their work and payments without what they describe as excessive monitoring and pressure.
One rider said the weekly payment should be clearly communicated so riders can plan their earnings and meet their obligations, rather than being subjected to constant pressure over their use of the Uber platform.
“If they will take GH¢459 weekly, we should know so we manage and pay them instead of the pressure using Uber,” the rider said, complaining that riders were frequently called to explain why they had or had not done certain things.
“The pressure is too much. It is like you don’t have your freedom and will. Everything you have to explain to them.”
Another rider questioned the financial burden placed on people who had entered the scheme largely because of limited employment opportunities, saying some riders felt they were being pushed to generate profits for the company within a short period.
“It’s like we are working for them, not ourselves,” another rider said.
The riders also raised concerns about what they described as different payment arrangements depending on whether a rider uses the Uber app or operates independently. One rider said a Green Wheels staff member told him that a rider who did not want to use the Uber app would pay GH¢459, while those using the app would pay GH¢399.
The riders said such deductions and penalties should be clearly explained and questioned whether penalty payments were being passed on to Uber or retained elsewhere.
Cost of operating the electric motorcycles was another major concern. One rider said he spends about GH¢100 a day on battery swaps, although he covers the cost through offline trips. Riders also disputed claims about battery range, with one insisting that some batteries do not deliver the stated 120-kilometre range.
They said frequent maintenance, battery costs and other expenses meant many riders struggled to accumulate savings despite working long hours.
One rider described the situation as “hand to mouth”, explaining that whatever money a rider manages to save can quickly disappear through maintenance and other unexpected expenses.
“Before you see it, pay for this, pay for that, and you come back to zero,” the rider said.
The riders also expressed concerns about how accidents and maintenance-related incidents are handled. One rider recounted an accident that resulted in a hospital visit and questioned whether riders would have adequate support if they were involved in a more serious incident involving another person.
Beyond their immediate financial concerns, some riders believe the government has a responsibility to regulate businesses operating in the sector and protect young people who depend on such schemes for employment.
One rider argued that if companies obtain government permits to operate, regulators should also pay attention to how their businesses are conducted, particularly where young and economically vulnerable people are involved.
“Regulation is very important to protect the youth of any country,” the rider said.
The riders also welcomed indications from the National Youth Authority that measures are being considered to enable riders to move beyond simply riding motorcycles and eventually establish and own their own fleet businesses.
For some riders, however, concerns about ownership remain at the centre of the dispute.
One rider questioned whether a person could genuinely own a motorcycle after completing the required payment period, arguing that a rider could potentially lose the bike if the contract were terminated because of a default or other breach.
The rider feared that even after making payments for an extended period, a minor mistake could lead to termination of the agreement and the recovery of the motorcycle.
This concern has led some riders to consider abandoning the scheme altogether.
“I don’t feel like going for it again. Green Wheels is doing too much,” one rider said. “The pressure will kill us all.”
Others have called for riders to meet collectively to discuss their concerns and find a common position. Some even suggested demonstrations against the company, although there was no indication that any formal protest had been organised.
The riders said they want their concerns to be heard directly by Green Wheels and believe a broader meeting involving riders and company representatives could help address the issues.
For them, the central demand is simple: clearer contracts, predictable payments, reasonable operating costs and greater freedom to determine how they work while meeting their financial obligations.
As one rider put it, riders should not feel as though they are working solely for the company when the ultimate goal of a work-and-pay arrangement is to help them build a livelihood and eventually own the asset they are paying for.
