DVLA opens office complexes at Dormaa-Ahenkro, Bechem

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has inaugurated two fully furnished office complexes in the Bono and Ahafo regions to bring its essential services closer to the people. 

The newly inaugurated facilities are located in Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality in the Bono Region and Bechem in the Tano South Municipality in the Ahafo Region.

Before opening these offices, residents of Dormaa-Ahenkro and Bechem areas had to travel long distances to Sunyani and Goaso, respectively, to access DVLA services such as obtaining licenses, registering vehicles and basic regulatory services.

Digital number plates

Speaking at the inauguration of the offices, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, said the authority had planned to change the existing number plates and replace them with digital plates.

The Dormaa-Ahenkro DVLA office complex

"DVLA wants to change the existing number plate because our current one is so polarised".

"We are bringing a new digitalised number plate system, which will provide the security agencies instant information through scanning," he said.

Mr Kotey said the proposed digital number plate would also help the DVLA to re-collate its data.

He explained that the authority would embark on community engagement or public education to educate the public before enrolling the new number plates.

Compliance

Mr Kotey said DVLA had decided to establish compliance offices to check drivers' skills, fake licenses, fire extinguishers and warning triangles, among other road safety apparatus.

He said the compliance officers would be on the streets to ensure commuters complied with the road safety regulations.

Mr Kotey said the inauguration of the offices demonstrated the DVLA's commitment to improving and bringing its services closer to the people.

He said the Oti and North East regions had no DVLA offices, adding that the authority was working to ensure its services were available in every district.

Reject fraud

At Bechem last Thursday, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, urged the public to reject fraud and always deal directly with DVLA officials.She also cautioned the public against using “goro boys”, explaining that DVLA services were now more accessible than ever.

"Our goal is for every Ghanaian to experience professional, efficient and corruption-free services at their local DVLA offices — without reliance on middlemen, popularly known as ‘goro boys,’" she said.

Ms Affo-Toffey said the ministry was working hard to ensure okada and pragya, which are the major modes of transportation, were properly regulated and licensed to guarantee safety on the roads.

"Cabinet has approved the amendment of the Road Traffic Act to give effect to the regularisation of okada, among others," she said.

Ms Affo-Toffey said the DVLA had cleared a backlog of over 440,000 driver’s licenses, expanded its presence nationwide and introduced digital platforms that had made transactions faster and more transparent. 

She said the new offices would help ensure safer journeys, more reliable services and stricter compliance with road regulations.

Ms Affo-Toffey encouraged motorists and vehicle owners to fully use the facilities by renewing their licenses, maintaining their vehicles to safety standards and complying with road safety regulations. 

Professionalism

At Dormaa-Ahenkro, the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, urged the staff of the DVLA who would be posted to the new office to uphold the highest standard of professionalism and integrity.

"Let this office be a symbol of access and quality service delivery that inspires confidence among the people you serve," he said.

Mr Akwaboa urged residents to take full ownership of the facility, use its services responsibly and help protect it to remain a beacon of progress for future generations.

He said the Dormaa DVLA office would help address the situation where residents used to travel long distances, which was very inconvenient and costly, to access DVLA services.

"Our people can now enjoy prompt, efficient, professional services at their doorsteps," he said.

Mr Akwaboa said the inauguration reflected the government’s commitment to decentralise public offices and improve development across the country.

The chiefs and people of Dormaa-Ahenkro and Bechem expressed the hope that the new offices would help ease their burden of travelling long distances.