By Angela Adu-Asomaning
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) says it has uncovered a criminal network involved in the production and distribution of fake DV number plates. This follows investigations conducted with support from the National Security Secretariat.
Addressing the media in Accra, the Chief Executive of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, said investigations carried out over the past two weeks revealed that more than 30,000 fake DV plates have been introduced into the system, with an estimated street value of twelve million, five hundred and ten thousand cedis.
Mr. Kotey said the state loses about 20 million cedis annually through illegal trade in counterfeit number plates. He said the activities of individuals involved in the illegal production and use of DV plates go beyond a regulatory breach. He explained that this development threatens national security, undermines law enforcement, and deprives the state of the needed revenue.
Mr. Kotey said some suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal operations while others are being pursued.
“Five suspects have been arrested at Lapaz, Narhman, Haatso, Tarkwa, and Kumasi. They have been arraigned before court and are currently on remand, with their next court appearance scheduled for March 17, 2026. The additional suspects identified in the intelligence chain remain at large and National Security is actively pursuing them,” he stated.
He also announced measures being put in place to address the issue of fake number plates.
“To permanently eliminate the problem of counterfeit plates, the DVLA will soon introduce RFID chip-embedded number plates. These plates will contain secure electronic identification technology that will allow authorities to instantly authenticate and verify vehicle registration data,” he explained.
Deputy Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Foster Kwesi Asante, gave more information on how the fake DV number plates can be distinguished from genuine ones.
“… if you scan the fake QR code, the one of our competitors, it will give you an address in the UK. It has no correlation to this plate. If you are buying or if you are given any DV plate, kindly look at the plates very well; you will know that the ones with a shining background are fake plates,” he added.
Director for Research and Training at the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Alexander Obeng, says the Police will intensify enforcement to clamp down on fake DV number plates on the roads. He added that the Police will work closely with the DVLA to identify and inspect vehicles using trade license plates.
“We are building the capacity and then the intelligent eyes of our enforcement teams on our roads. We are ensuring that physically, when vehicles are approaching us, we will take physical possession of the trade license plate and then examine it to find out whether they are genuine or fake,” he stated.
The Authority warned that individuals found using forged or duplicated licence plates, manufacturing or distributing fake plates, or driving vehicles displaying such plates will face prosecution under the laws of the country.
