Malik Basintale: YEA CEO Roams Accra With Motorbike, Receives Backlash for Not Wearing Helmet

• Malik Basintale, in a video, took a break from work and roamed the streets of Accra with his Kawasaki Z900 motorcycle
• The acting Youth Employment Agency (YEA) boss was later accompanied by an associate as they visited a car dealership and interacted with people
• Many Ghanaians thronged to social media to criticise Malik Basintale for riding his motorbike without a helmet

The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, has received backlash after a video of him roaming Accra on a motorbike surfaced on social media.

In a TikTok video seen by YEN.com.gh, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) rode his Kawasaki Z900, a supernaked motorcycle known for its aggressive styling and performance on the street.

Malik Basintale, wearing a long-sleeved African print shirt, black trousers, and shoes, later met an associate, who also brought out a BMW R 1250 RS motorbike, a sports touring motorcycle known for its dynamic performance and comfort, and followed him.

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The acting CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) inspected the road to see if it was safer before riding off with his associate. He later visited a car dealership and conversed with some individuals who gathered around him before riding back to his first destination with his friend.

The video of Malik Basintale roaming the streets of Accra with his Kawasaki Z900 motorbike triggered negative reactions from Ghanaians who criticised him for not taking safety precautions and wearing a helmet as required by the law of the country.

The young politician has gained a reputation for his preference for motorbikes as a mode of transportation.

During the campaign season before the 2024 general elections, he captivated Ghanaians as he led a large group of Ashaiman bikers as they welcomed Mahama with a massive display at the National Democratic Congress's (NDC) manifesto launch.

The acting YEA boss also rode on his motorbike alongside a group of bikers in the Amasaman constituency to campaign for President John Dramani Mahama during the elections.

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Despite receiving a political appointment from the president since the NDC's return to power and having access to government cars for his daily routines, Malik Basintale still rides his motorbike to events.

He was recently spotted with his BMW motorbike at the launch of the YEA's "Red Means Stop" campaign.

Below is the video of Malik Basintale roaming Accra with his motorbike:

Ghanaians blast Malik for not wearing helmet

YEN.com.gh has gathered some comments from social media users below:

BORO K commented:

"Masa, wear a helmet. No one is above the law ⛑️🪖."

Kofi Ankomah said:

"Leadership by experience. Helmet, Helmet, Helmet."

User8187125341077 wrote:

"Boss, please wear a helmet before you ride 🙏."

Alhassan Masaudu commented:

"Malik, next time, wear a helmet."

The Social stigma and myths around helmet wearing in Ghana

In a lot of urban areas in Ghana, wearing a helmet, specifically in certain cases of commercial motorcyclists and young males, can come with social stigma from beliefs, peer pressure, and perceptions of masculinity. Although helmets are intended for safety, they might have specific stigmas behind them, becoming "uncool", uncomfortable, or unnecessary for short distances.

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For some, choosing not to wear a helmet makes them feel tough, lending itself to a masculinity culture that promotes risk-taking among young men. Others refuse to wear helmets for fear of being ridiculed by their peers for being too careful or decreasing their "steeze" by wearing a helmet.

This resistance represents a larger issue, and the issue is that safety gear is seen not merely as a smart decision, but as a display of weakness or fear. Occasionally, the myth of "fate," including religious or superstitious beliefs, compounds upon the myth that your fate is sealed and therefore, wearing protective gear is pointless. These narratives directly undermine public safety efforts and lead to an increased count of injuries and deaths caused by preventable urban road traffic crashes.

Addressing this stigma takes more than enforcement, it takes culture change. Public education needs to go beyond warnings and take on these social attitudes. When safety becomes aspirational, when influencers, musicians, or respected community leaders endorse helmet use, it slowly redefines what is "cool" or "strong." Simply put, changing minds is as important as changing laws.

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Ibrahim Mahama rides a motorbike on street

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Ibrahim Mahama rode a motorbike on the street with his crew in a video that surfaced on social media.

The renowned businessman showcased his biking skills as his associates prepared to join him.

The video of Ibrahim Mahama riding a motorbike on the street with his crew garnered massive reactions from Ghanaians on social media.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh