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A tense exchange erupted during Tuesday October 27, 2025, sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when the Chairperson, Abena Osei Asare, confronted the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, over details of the Authority’s proposed digital number plate system. The disagreement arose during discussions on the DVLA’s plan to digitise personal vehicle data through new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled number plates part of efforts to strengthen security and curb vehicle-related crimes. Explaining the initiative, Kotey told the Committee that the digital number plates would include RFID chips “to make them very difficult for external entities to tamper with or replicate.” However, PAC Chair Abena Osei Asare sought clarity on the scope of data to be embedded, particularly whether the plates would bear vehicle owners’ surnames. “I’m asking you a specific question. Is it going to have the user’s surname on the number plates?” she asked. LIVESTREAMED: Public Accounts Committee sitting for August 20 In response, the DVLA CEO initially stated, “We don’t put names on number plates… I was wondering why that question. Sorry, but we don’t put names on number plates.” That answer appeared to frustrate the Chair, who interjected sharply, “What are you telling me? People pay to have their names on number plates and you sit here as the DVLA boss and tell me you don’t put numbers on number plates. “Haven’t you seen specialized numbers with people’s surnames and personalized names on number plates? yes or no…. So why are you telling me you don’t put names on number plates? Kotey clarified, “We don’t put names on number plates… So, I can explain that,” but that response prompted another rebuttal from Osei Asare. “Not that you can explain that. You said, you don’t expect me to ask you that question…that is what you said. You don’t expect me to ask you that question because people do not put their number plates, their names on their number plates. “That is a blatant lie. You have people who pay for specialized number plates and they have theirs and if I’m asking you, you just mentioned that there are going to be security features. “And I’m asking, is that going to include people’s names on that plate? And you said, you don’t expect me to ask you that question, are you not a DVLA boss?” As tensions rose, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, attempted to interject, apparently to calm the exchange and provide clarification. He explained, “I think he was trying to explain that we have different types of number that we can acquire so if you want …” However, Kotey faced with the Committee’s insistence, withdrew his earlier comment, saying, “Honourable Chair, respectfully, I withdraw that statement.” Osei Asare accepted the withdrawal but emphasised that the Committee’s line of questioning stemmed from public concern over the security and privacy implications of the digital number plate rollout. Kotey assured the Committee that the DVLA’s digital number plate project fully complies with Ghana’s Data Protection Act, stressing that it is primarily aimed at digitalizing existing records, not exposing personal data. “The new number plate, there’s always a provision for personalized identification numbers. When you come and apply for that, certainly it will be given to you. Thank you very much.” The DVLA’s proposed digital number plate system, first announced in 2024, is expected to integrate RFID technology to help track vehicles more efficiently and combat fraud, cloning, and car theft. 🇬🇭 ‘What are you telling me? People have their names on number plates, and you sit here as the DVLA Boss and tell me you don’t put numbers on number plates?’ — Mp for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare questioned sharply during a heated exchange with the DVLA Boss at the Public… pic.twitter.com/aBvSyRJp77 — CDR AFRICA (@cdrafrica) October 27, 2025 Kimathi Rawlings and other prominent figures depart residence after brief meeting Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
