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| DVLA CEO: Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey |
A New Face of Public-Sector Leadership, Innovation and Service Delivery
In an era when Ghanaians increasingly expect public institutions to deliver measurable results, Julius Neequaye Kotey, Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), is emerging as one of the public-sector executives whose leadership is making a visible impact.
Since taking charge of the DVLA in 2025, Kotey has pursued an agenda centred on accessibility, digital transformation, efficiency, innovation and stronger regulation, and the results are increasingly visible across the country.
1. Taking DVLA closer to the people
Perhaps the most visible aspect of the Kotey administration has been the rapid expansion of DVLA's physical presence.
Within about a year and a half, the Authority had commissioned 23 new offices, bringing licensing and vehicle-registration services closer to communities that previously had to travel considerable distances to access them.
From Dome-Kwabenya and Nkoranza to Salaga, Tumu, Nalerigu and Navrongo, the expansion represents a deliberate attempt to decentralise government services and reduce the burden on motorists.
This is more than the construction of offices. It is a change in the philosophy of service delivery: government services should go to the people, rather than forcing citizens to travel long distances to government institutions.
2. Clearing a massive licensing backlog
Kotey's administration has also tackled one of DVLA's longstanding operational problems, the backlog of driver's licences.
According to the Authority's one-year performance report, 444,000 driver's licence backlogs were cleared, while 77,659 new licences were printed in 2025.
The Authority also introduced a 24-hour shift system at its Print Farm to accelerate the process.
The commissioning of the 24-hour Adentan office in May 2025 subsequently gave practical expression to the administration's commitment to round-the-clock public service delivery.
3. Driving DVLA into the digital age
Another defining feature of Kotey's tenure has been technology.
DVLA has developed RFID-embedded smart number plates, designed to improve vehicle identification, verification, security and traceability.
The Authority has also introduced a new Driver from Port (DP) sticker system, which has improved revenue assurance and increased monthly issuances from approximately 2,000 aluminium plates to more than 15,000 stickers.
These reforms are gradually changing the perception of DVLA from a traditional licensing institution into a more technology-driven regulatory agency.
4. Taking the fight against fraud seriously
Kotey's leadership has also seen a stronger enforcement posture.
In March 2026, DVLA announced that it had uncovered a network involved in the production and distribution of more than 30,000 counterfeit DV plates, estimated at GH¢12.51 million, with the Authority estimating approximately GH¢20 million in annual revenue losses from the illegal operation. Five suspects were arrested and arraigned.
The Authority subsequently announced plans to deploy RFID technology to make vehicle verification more secure and make counterfeiting considerably more difficult.
5. Taking DVLA services into communities
Under Kotey, DVLA has also intensified its community outreach programme.
The initiative takes licensing services and public education directly to lorry stations, communities, institutions and underserved areas, while combining service delivery with road-safety education and regulatory awareness.
The objective is straightforward: reduce the influence of middlemen while making legitimate DVLA services easier for ordinary citizens to access.
A leadership style built around innovation
Kotey's performance has attracted recognition beyond DVLA.
In March 2026, he received both the Public Service Personality of the Year and Outstanding CEO in State-Owned Enterprises awards, while DVLA received awards for Public Sector Service Delivery Innovation Excellence and Innovation and Digital Transformation in Public Enterprise.
He was subsequently recognised for Digital Transformation in Vehicle Licensing across Africa at the African Public Service Optimum Awards.
More than a licensing authority
The transformation agenda extends beyond driver's licences and vehicle registration.
DVLA has also registered 9,240 earth-moving machines at the Tema and Takoradi ports as part of efforts to strengthen tracking and support measures against illegal mining. The Authority has also received a heavy goods vehicle training truck from TransAid UK to strengthen professional driver training and assessment.
GhanaHub News
By: Jonas Nunoo
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