By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
Engineer and Policy Analyst, Mr Kosi Dedey, has blamed the management of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for the surge in road tragedies across the country.
According to him, the rise in road accidents in Ghana is largely due to inadequate driver training and weak vehicle inspection systems at the DVLA.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM’s Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Mr Dedey acknowledged that poor road infrastructure also contributes to crashes.
He, however, argued that although bad roads are a major factor, better-trained drivers could significantly reduce the risks.
“I agree there are infrastructural problems with our roads, but when you are a trained driver and the roads are not marked, you should know your response,” he said, adding: “We do not train our drivers well in hazard perception. The infrastructure may be bad, but if the driver is well-trained, he will be able to deal with hazards on the road.”
Mr Dedey accused the DVLA of failing in its mandate, alleging that some officials engage in misconduct when issuing driver’s licences.
“There are bad people in the system, conducting themselves badly even in issuing a driver’s licence. We need to get to the heart of this matter,” he stressed.
He also noted that many vehicles in poor condition are still allowed to operate, with some displaying inspection stickers without undergoing proper checks.
“We can trace their stickers and find out whether those vehicles went to the DVLA for inspection, and you will realise that no, they were not. These are the problems DVLA must focus on dealing with when it comes to road safety,” Mr Dedey stated.
