Atebubu, Bono East Region | September 2, 2026
Source: Piabire Palace, Atebubu
Atebubu has taken another significant step towards improving access to essential public services with the commissioning of a new Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) office on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. The new office forms part of DVLA’s efforts to expand access to licensing and vehicle registration services by bringing its services closer to the people. The facility is expected to serve not only residents of Atebubu, but also communities across the wider Far East Corridor and beyond.
The establishment of the office follows sustained engagements involving the Paramount Stool of Atebubu, the leadership of DVLA, government and local political authorities. Speaking at the commissioning, the Paramount Chief of Atebubu, Ohempon Dr. Yeboah Asiamah, described the opening as an example of what can be achieved when different institutions work together towards a common development objective. “Development works best when leadership works together. We may have distinct responsibilities, but we serve the same people and pursue the same objective: the progress of Atebubuman.”
Paramount Stool Initiated Request and Paid One Year’s Rent
Ohempon disclosed that the Paramount Stool took an active role in efforts to bring DVLA services to Atebubu, including initiating the request and facilitating the necessary engagements. To ensure that the office could commence operations without unnecessary delay, the Paramount Stool also paid one year’s rent for the facility. According to Ohempon, the intervention reflected the Stool’s philosophy that communities and their leaders must be prepared to contribute directly when doing so can accelerate development.
He expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for policies supporting the expansion of public services and commended the Chief Executive of DVLA, Mr. Julius Neequaye Kotey, together with his deputies, Mr. Foster Akwasi Asante, Esq., and Mr. Iddissah Yeboah Seidu, for their commitment to bringing the Atebubu office into operation.
“When Atebubu Succeeds, We All Succeed”
The Paramount Chief also used the occasion to emphasize collaboration among the various centers of leadership within the municipality. He commended the Bono East Regional Minister, Hon. Francis Owusu Antwi, Member of Parliament for Atebubu Amantin, Hon. Sanja Nanja, and Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Thomas Masud Musah Ayaraba, for their respective contributions.
Addressing the importance of unity in development, Ohempon stressed that the Paramount Stool, Member of Parliament, and Municipal Assembly have different constitutional and traditional responsibilities, but ultimately serve the same people. “There is enough work for all of us to do. When any one of us succeeds in bringing development to our people, Atebubu succeeds. Our duty is to complement one another, support every genuine effort and put the interest of Atebubuman above all else.” He said the commissioning itself demonstrated what could be accomplished when leadership focused on results and collective interest.
Special Recognition for Individuals Behind the Initiative
Ohempon also acknowledged Mr. Isaac Oppong, immediate past GEA Manager in Atebubu, as well as other individuals who contributed towards the establishment of the office. He singled out Mr. Michael Osei, former General Manager of the Atebubu Stool Land Secretariat, and Mr. Raphael Kofi Gapson, Bono East Regional Treasurer of the NDC, for special recognition, describing their commitment and efforts towards the project as going “far beyond the call of duty.”
Serving Atebubu and the Far East Corridor
Beyond its immediate significance to Atebubu, the new office is expected to improve access to DVLA services for people within the wider Far East Corridor, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for services that can now be accessed closer to home. Residents and motorists have therefore been encouraged to make full use of the facility, comply with licensing and road traffic requirements, and help protect the office as an important public asset. The commissioning also coincided with a DVLA public sensitization exercise on its upcoming RFID chip-embedded vehicle number plate, which the Authority indicated is scheduled for nationwide rollout.
Next Target: Permanent Model DVLA FacilityWhile celebrating the opening of the office, the Paramount Chief also renewed an earlier proposal for the establishment of a permanent DVLA facility in Atebubu. Ohempon revealed that in his first formal request to the DVLA Chief Executive in March 2025, the Paramount Stool made land available for the construction of a permanent office, an offer which remains open.
Given Atebubu’s strategic location and the potential catchment area of the office, he urged the Authority to consider the newly commissioned facility as a foundation for a much bigger long-term presence. “Considering Atebubu’s strategic position as the gateway to the Far East Corridor, we believe the next chapter should be a modern, model DVLA facility capable of serving this entire corridor.” The long term aspiration, he explained, is for residents of Atebubu and surrounding communities to eventually have access locally to as many DVLA services as possible, particularly services for which residents currently have to travel to larger cities.
He consequently called for the partnership between the Paramount Stool, DVLA, government and other stakeholders to continue towards establishing a permanent, modern and fully equipped DVLA facility for Atebubu and the wider Far East Corridor.
The commissioning represents another milestone in Atebubu’s continuing efforts to attract essential state institutions and services closer to its people. For the Paramount Stool, however, the broader message from the occasion was equally important: sustainable development is accelerated when institutions collaborate, leaders complement rather than compete with one another, and everyone accepts a share of responsibility for the progress of the community.
Pim Kɔ W’anim!
