DVLA Boss Reacts After Being Blasted by Abena Osei-Asare Over Perceived Insult: "Truly Overwhelming"
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority boss Julius Neequaye Kotey has spoken about his exchange with Abena Osei-Asare
- Kotey explained he reason he adopted the cadence he did during the exchange at a Public Accounts Committee hearing
- Tension between them erupted during a query on plans to digitise personal information on new digital number plates
The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has responded graciously to his ordeal before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where he was on the receiving end of heated criticism from Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare.
In a statement after the hearing on October 28, Kotey said he received a lot of emotional support after the incident.
Source: Facebook
As Osei-Asare tore into him because of a perceived insult during an exchange, Kotey said in the statement that he had tried to exercise restraint.
"I made a conscious decision to remain calm and focused on the work we are mandated to do. Your swift response, in the form of calls and messages of encouragement and motivation, was truly overwhelming."
The tense exchange erupted during a query on plans to digitise personal information on the authority’s proposed digital number plates.
The confrontation began after Kotey explained that the new number plates would include Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips as part of enhanced security features.
Osei-Asare then raised concerns about potential privacy breaches, asking whether the new plates would display vehicle owners’ surnames.
Kotey retorted that the authority will comply with Ghana’s Data Protection Law.
When asked directly whether surnames would appear on number plates, he replied: 'It depends on what the law says.'
Tensions started to rise at this point, with Osei-Asare responding, 'You don’t tell me it depends on what the law says.'
"You are doing it. So you should be able to tell us that the law says ABCD. I’m asking a specific question: is it going to have the user’s surname on the number plate?”
Kotey eventually clarified that 'we don’t put names on number plates' and suggested that the question was unwarranted, thus offending the chairperson and prompting the barrage of criticism.
Osei-Asare reminded that there were personalised plates that had surnames.
Kotey later withdrew the comment, explaining that he only meant that regular number plates do not include names, while personalised plates do.
DVLA unveils design of new number plates
In August, Kotey unveiled the design of the new number plates set to be introduced in 2026.
He said these changes are part of sweeping reforms in the country's vehicle registration system.
In a statement, the CEO called these developments a significant step forward for vehicle regulation.
"The new plates will be equipped with RFID technology and other features to modernise vehicle management and improve road safety."
At the time, Kotey said the new plates would prevent smuggling, improve tracking, help with future automated toll collection, and make for easier identification.
The new plates would also be reflective for enhanced visibility and have some form of digital integration.
EOCO flags cars smuggled into Ghana
Meanwhile, the Economic and Organised Crime Office has identified Honda CR-Vs, Ford F-150s, Range Rovers, and Dodge as models commonly smuggled into Ghana.
The crime body, which uses Interpol's database for vehicle verification, has urged buyers to investigate vehicles, especially new or spotless models, for potential theft.
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It uses a range of methods to crack down on stolen vehicles being illegally moved into Ghana.
The recent detention of Shatta Wale has heightened concerns about stolen cars in the country.
US intercepts stolen cars headed for Ghana
In July, YEN.com.gh reported that US Customs and Border Protection officials had foiled an attempt to smuggle stolen cars to Ghana.
The officials at the Port of Virginia stopped the shipment of the vehicles, valued at approximately $150,000, in another interception effort.
Source: YEN.com.gh
