Julius Neequaye Kotey is the Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has — on more than one occasion — found himself at the center of national conversation, proving that in Ghana, conversations about cars can quickly turn into conversations about policy, politics, and public trust.
From number plates to bribery claims and overseas expansion plans, Kotey’s tenure has produced moments that sparked intense debate across radio stations, social media timelines, and the ever-vibrant Ghanaian WhatsApp groups.
Here is a breakdown of three key moments that put the DVLA boss firmly in the public spotlight:
1. The number plate reform controversy
Kotey first drew widespread attention during discussions surrounding the rollout of enhanced and digitalised vehicle number plates.
In defending the reform, he disclosed that a notable percentage of number plates in circulation were fake — a revelation that startled many motorists who suddenly began wondering whether the car next to them at the traffic light was legally “identified” or simply creatively registered.
The DVLA maintained that the upgraded plates were necessary to curb fraud, improve vehicle traceability, and modernise Ghana’s road identification system. However, critics argued that the rollout came with insufficient public education and raised concerns about affordability.
For many drivers, the question was simple: Was the reform about security — or another unexpected expense added to Ghana’s already long list of vehicle-related costs?
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2. The GH¢4 million bribery claim
Public debate intensified when Kotey, in an interview with journalist Saddick Adams, revealed that he had allegedly rejected a GH¢4 million bribe intended to halt the digital number plate initiative.
The claim immediately set off mixed reactions nationwide.
Supporters praised what they saw as a bold anti-corruption stance, applauding him for resisting pressure. Others, however, asked the inevitable Ghanaian follow-up question: “So who offered the money?”
Critics wondered why the alleged perpetrators were not publicly identified or formally prosecuted before the disclosure was made. The matter eventually attracted the attention of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, adding another layer of intrigue to an already headline-grabbing revelation.
For days, the public debated not just the allegation itself, but whether corruption claims should begin in the courtroom rather than on the airwaves.
3. Proposal to extend DVLA services abroad
Another round of backlash emerged after comments suggesting plans to extend DVLA services to Ghanaians living abroad, including those in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
While the idea appeared aimed at improving services for the diaspora, critics argued that DVLA should first resolve local service challenges — including long queues, processing delays, and the familiar Ghanaian experience of arriving early only to hear, “The system is down.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later clarified that it had not approved the deployment of DVLA staff overseas. The DVLA subsequently explained that any future services outside Ghana would instead be facilitated through diplomatic missions rather than permanent staff postings abroad.
Together, these incidents have fueled ongoing national discussions about communication, transparency, and public engagement as the DVLA pursues its modernisation agenda.
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com