The project is aimed at relocating the DVLA office to a permanent facility to improve service delivery for residents of Tano South and surrounding communities.

The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including the Member of Parliament for Tano South, Hon. Charles Asiedu; the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong; the Coordinating Director, Mr Abdul Rahman Salam; the Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Mr Julius Neequaye; the Tano South DVLA Manager, Mr Kwame Appiah; personnel of the DVLA; security agencies; and traditional leaders.

In a welcome address, the Omanhene of the Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Asiwobour Osei Bonsu III, expressed gratitude to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Transport and the management of the DVLA for bringing the project to the Municipality.

He noted that when completed, the project would improve access to public services, save residents time and money, and contribute to local economic growth.

Nana Asiwobour commended the Member of Parliament and the Municipal Chief Executive for their efforts to attract development projects to the Municipality.

He also encouraged them to engage further with the government to ensure that Bechem received serious consideration whenever ministries, departments and agencies sought to establish regional or zonal offices.

He said the presence of key public institutions could create employment opportunities and improve access to essential services for residents.

“The ultimate vision is to make Bechem not only the traditional capital of the people, but also a leading administrative, commercial and public service hub in the centre of the Ahafo Region,” he said.

Nana Asiwobour disclosed that the Traditional Council had provided land for the construction of the DVLA office, a hospital and staff bungalows.

He urged the management and CEO of the DVLA to expedite the completion of the project to enable residents to benefit from improved services.

Touching on youth empowerment, Nana Asiwobour emphasised the need to equip young people with the skills, resources and opportunities to create their own jobs rather than relying solely on existing employment opportunities.

He reaffirmed the commitment of traditional leadership to promoting peace, unity and collaborative development in partnership with the government and the private sector.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Charles Asiedu, Member of Parliament for Tano South, explained that the project began on a pilot basis to assess its feasibility and long-term sustainability.

He recalled that after assuming office, he identified the need for a DVLA presence in the Municipality. However, the only option available at the time was to rent temporary office space from the Ghana Enterprises Agency at a cost.

“From the Common Fund, we paid for the first year, and through active engagement with the CEO of the DVLA and his deputies, I was promised the construction of a permanent facility following the successful pilot run,” he said.

He added that the Traditional Council also played a crucial role by allocating land for the permanent structure, paving the way for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Hon. Asiedu assured Nana Asiwobour of his commitment to bringing further development to the Municipality and disclosed that a Cocoa Quality Control Office would be established in Bechem ahead of the next cocoa season to directly benefit local farmers.

He further called for unity and development, stating that, “Political parties come and go, but the community remains.”

He urged residents and stakeholders to rise above partisan politics, prioritise the development of the constituency and put public service above political divisions.