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The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), in collaboration with the Assembly Member for the Abelenkpe Electoral Area in the Ayawaso West Municipality, Teddy Kwei Baddoo has moved it’s services to the doorsteps of residents to make licence renewal and replacement more accessible.
The community-based exercise which took place last Friday provided on-site seevices such as renewal and replacement of driver’s lincense and other DVLA related activities.
The exercise formed part of the efforts to decentralise essential services and respond to the practical needs of community members.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Baddoo explained that the exercise was organised to address the challenges the community members faced in accessing DVLA services due to distance and limited time.
“We are undertaking driver’s licence renewals, replacements, and other services under the DVLA’s mandate. Many people are home with expired licences, not because they do not want to renew, but because of the long distance to DVLA offices. I saw it necessary to bring the services to their doorstep,” he said.
He said despite early rains on the day, the turnout remained strong, with more residents trooping in steadily.
“We are expecting about 300 to 400 people, and we are almost getting there,” he said.
Beyond the DVLA exercise, Mr Baddoo highlighted a number of social intervention projects he had spearheaded in the area.
They included the Ghana Card registration, National Health Insurance renewals, and home care visits by local nurses.
“We try to bring every necessary service to the people. Whether it is health insurance, Ghana Card, or community health support, we make it accessible,” he explained.
As a second-term Assembly Member, Mr Baddoo disclosed that efforts were underway to upgrade an existing Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound into a full clinic. “We are currently constructing the first floor. The community is contributing significantly, but we are calling on the Municipal Assembly to support us to complete and equip it,” he said.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Michael Mensah, commended the Assembly Member for his proactive leadership and called on others to emulate his example.
“This is a noble initiative. Sometimes we forget to renew our driver’s licences, but having it brought to our doorstep removes that excuse. I hope other Assembly Members will follow suit,” he said
He mentioned that the municipality had plans to enhance security and sanitation, including the installation of more streetlights and efforts to desilt drains in flood-prone areas like Westland and Okponglo.
Alex Setsoafia Avokor, a driver who benefitted from the exercise expressed gratitude.
“It has saved us the stress of travelling to DVLA and queuing,” he said.
He said the assembly member has done very well, especially with the streetlights and roads.
There are still a few bad roads, and we hope the government will work on them.”
Touching on the issue of allowances for Assembly Members, Mr Baddoo expressed appreciation to the government for recognising the role of local representatives but called for urgent attention to the disbursement process and a review of the amount.
“We are grateful that the government has started something good. However, as I speak, we have not received ours yet. We are hopeful it will come soon,” he said.
He explained that Assembly Members often used personal resources to support various community needs, including funerals, naming ceremonies, school fees, and emergencies. According to him, the financial demands on Assembly Members had grown, especially as communities increasingly turned to them for solutions.
“In this role, you are expected to be present at every social gathering, to offer help when needed, and to initiate development activities.
Without financial support, it becomes very difficult,” he said.
Mr Baddoo appealed to the government, through the Ministry of Local Government and the District Assemblies Common Fund Secretariat, to expedite payment and consider an upward adjustment.
“Even as we thank the government, we are pleading that during the next budget or mid-year review, the allowance should be revisited. That way, we can continue to serve our people more effectively and with dignity,” he added.
