Yaa Konadu: Trailblazer in road safety advocacy, driver training

Nana Yaa Konadu is a passionate road safety advocate and entrepreneur whose life’s mission is to save lives on the roads. 

She is the Chief Executive Officer of DriveSafe Motoring Company Limited, an institution dedicated to training the next generation of defensive and responsible drivers.

Driven by an unyielding desire to reduce road crashes and promote safety, Yaa Konadu, affectionately called Obaa Yaa, abandoned a lucrative career in the banking sector in 2007 to answer what she describes as her calling.

Recognising the alarming rate of road accidents and the devastating loss of lives, she chose to dedicate herself to road safety advocacy.

Her journey began as a voluntary road safety advocate, and today, she stands as a certified driver trainer and a proud member of the National Road Safety Authority Communication Team.

Obaa Yaa’s vision extends beyond advocacy; she is deeply involved in training drivers and motor riders, focusing on equipping them with defensive techniques to protect Ghana’s most valuable resource—its people.

Her dedication to this mission has enabled DriveSafe Motoring to train over 1,000 individuals, including private drivers and professionals brought in by institutions for retraining.

Okada riders

In a groundbreaking achievement, DriveSafe Motoring Company Limited recently became the first school in Ghana to be accredited by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to train motor riders.

This milestone solidifies Yaa Konadu’s vision of not only training responsible drivers but also empowering motorcyclists with the skills and knowledge necessary for safe road use.

It is a significant step forward in addressing the increasing role of motorbikes in transportation and road safety.

Obstacles

As a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field, Obaa Yaa has faced her share of challenges. From ridicule by male counterparts to unwelcome advice suggesting she should venture into beauty or fashion or tomato trading, she has remained undeterred.

Nicknames such as "Too Known Lady", "Iron Lady" and "Obaa Din Din" have only fueled her determination to break stereotypes and prove that women can lead and excel in the road safety and driver education sector.

Award

Her work has not gone unnoticed. Obaa Yaa was recently honoured with the prestigious Ghana's Most Outstanding Customer Service and Innovation in Driver Education 2024 Award organised by the Business Executive Group, a testament to her exceptional contributions to road safety campaigns and driver training.

Asked about her impression of the award, she said: “First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ghanaians for believing in us and supporting our mission.

“This award is not just ours; it belongs to every individual who has walked through our doors and trusted us to guide them on their journey to becoming safe and confident drivers.

“To all Ghanaians, I want to emphasise the importance of road safety. It’s not just about knowing how to drive but understanding the responsibility that comes with being on the road. Let’s work together to make Ghana’s roads safer for everyone,” Obaa Yaa said.

Road safety

For her, road safety is not just a profession—it’s a calling. She believes Ghana urgently needs a culture of responsible driving and motor riding to curb road accidents, and her unwavering commitment to this cause continues to inspire many.

With most trainees joining her programme through referrals, Yaa Konadu’s impact is evident in the trust and respect she has earned from families, institutions and communities across the country.

As a trainer, advocate and visionary, Obaa Yaa is paving the way for a safer Ghana, one responsible road user at a time.