The Concerned Drivers’ Association has welcomed plans by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to establish a specialised hospital for drivers, describing the initiative as a major boost to welfare and professionalism within Ghana’s transport sector.
The announcement was made by DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey during a sod-cutting ceremony marking the commencement of construction works at the Jomoro DVLA Office in Samenya.
According to Mr. Kotey, the proposed Drivers’ Hospital is designed to address the unique healthcare needs of drivers while also serving as a motivation to promote discipline, safety, and professionalism in the transport industry.
“The idea behind the Drivers’ Hospital is to improve the welfare of drivers by giving them access to specialised healthcare, which will ultimately enhance safety and professionalism on our roads,” he stated.
Reacting to the announcement, National Chairman of the Concerned Drivers’ Association, William Osei (Paa Willie), expressed excitement and pledged full support from driver unions across the country.
“We are very happy about this announcement. Drivers face a lot of health challenges due to the nature of our work, and having a dedicated hospital will go a long way to improve our wellbeing,” Mr. Osei said.
He commended President John Dramani Mahama and the DVLA leadership for prioritising drivers’ welfare, noting that the initiative reflects genuine concern for those in the transport sector.
“We appreciate the President and the DVLA authorities for having drivers at heart. This decision shows genuine concern for our safety and health,” he added.
Mr. Osei also pointed out that several state institutions already operate specialised hospitals, and drivers deserve similar consideration.
“The Police Service has its own hospital, the Military has theirs, the Bank of Ghana has its hospital, and many other institutions do as well. This initiative will go a long way to support drivers,” he stated.
He assured the DVLA of the unions’ readiness to support the project to ensure it becomes a reality.
“If supporting the DVLA CEO will help make this project possible, we as driver unions are ready to do so to ensure this does not end up as mere talk,” he said.
Mr. Osei further revealed that the initiative could pave the way for a dedicated identification system for drivers and their families.
“This will give drivers the opportunity to have dedicated ID cards, so that our wives and children can access healthcare at the facility when the need arises, simply by presenting the ID,” he explained.
He concluded by disclosing that driver unions are expected to engage the DVLA in further discussions to support the successful implementation of the proposed Drivers’ Hospital.
ALSO READ:
GPRTU moves to restore vehicle ID tags to curb fare abuses…
