, has clashed with Julius Neequaye Kotey, the DVLA boss){kind=link}
Abena Osei Asare, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has clashed with Julius Neequaye Kotey, the DVLA boss, over the digital number plate rollout.
The heated exchange was about concerns raised PAC chair about privacy and data protection under the DVLA’s new digitisation initiative.
The DVLA is introducing number plates embedded with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips.
According to the DVLA boss, the RFID chips would enhance security and curb vehicle-related criminality.
The DVLA boss explained that the RFID-enabled plates would make it very difficult for external entities to tamper with or replicate vehicle information.
Nonetheless, PAC Chair Abena Osei Asare sought clarity on the scope of data to be embedded, 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.
The DVLA CEO 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.”
His answer frustrated the Chair, who stated, “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 specialised numbers with people’s surnames and personalised 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”.
Osei Asare stated, “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 specialised 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?”
Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister of Transport, attempted to calm tempers and provide clarification.
The Minister of Transport explained, “I think he was trying to explain that we have different types of numbers that we can acquire, so if you want …”
However, the DVLA boss, faced with the Committee’s insistence, withdrew comment, saying, “Honourable Chair, respectfully, I withdraw that statement.”
The PAC chair, Osei Asare, accepted the withdrawal but accepted the clarification, but insisted that the Committee’s scrutiny was motivated by public interest.
Meanwhile, Julius Neequaye Kotey and the technical team outlined the upcoming nationwide vehicle registration reforms, aimed at modernising the system, enhancing security, and addressing longstanding issues like plate abuse and data inaccuracies.
The DVLA Justifications for the New System include,
Database Cleanup: Builds a credible, updated vehicle registry to tackle stolen/unaccustomed vehicles and fraud (e.g., easy plate duplication from garages).
State-Controlled Printing: Plates will be produced in-house by DVLA (not private entities) after verification, reducing unauthorised access.
Owner Identification: Links plates to verified owners to boost public safety, crime prevention (e.g., vehicles in crimes), road enforcement, and regional harmonisation (e.g., ECOWAS integration).
Best Practices: Aligns with global standards for reliable data and anti-fraud measures.
Watch the video below:
🇬🇭 ‘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?’ —
— CDR AFRICA (@cdrafrica) October 27, 2025
Mp for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare questioned sharply during a heated exchange with the DVLA Boss at the Public… pic.twitter.com/aBvSyRJp77