The Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has raised concerns over what he describes as the infiltration of Ghana’s vehicle number plate system, warning that the situation poses a serious national security risk.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Kotey said the current number plates lack critical security features required of a modern vehicle identification system, making them vulnerable to abuse by criminals.
According to him, Ghana’s current number plates are not scannable, making it difficult for security agencies to instantly verify vehicle information.
“Currently, the number plates we have lack some requirements we must have as a developing country. They are not scannable for easy access to information by security agencies,” he said.
The DVLA boss noted that the widespread production of number plates by private operators has compromised the integrity of the country’s vehicle registration system.
“It has also been infiltrated,” he stated.
Mr Kotey disclosed that about 160 different places across the country are producing vehicle number plates, a situation he described as unacceptable for a security-sensitive item.
“How can anybody at all be doing something that is meant to be a security feature? They will not ask you for any documents because they are just interested in their money,” he lamented.
He warned that the ease with which number plates can be reproduced exposes innocent vehicle owners to criminal activities.
“If someone wants to commit a crime against you, they can use your number plate,” he cautioned.
The DVLA CEO also revealed that the Authority estimates that about 5% of vehicles on Ghana’s roads have not paid the required import duties, raising further concerns about compliance within the country’s vehicle registration system.
Drawing comparisons with neighbouring Nigeria, Mr Kotey said the country has adopted a more secure and centralised approach to the production of vehicle number plates.
“We went to Nigeria, and it was only one place that was cutting the number plates. Look at Nigeria and their population. Their number plates have not been infiltrated. How much more Ghana?” he questioned.
Mr Kotey’s comments come amid ongoing efforts by the DVLA to modernise Ghana’s vehicle registration system by introducing enhanced security features aimed at improving traceability, strengthening law enforcement and reducing vehicle-related fraud.
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