Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has firmly denied approving any plan for staff of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to travel abroad to provide licensing services for Ghanaians in the diaspora.
The Ministry’s rebuttal comes amid a flip flopping communication by the ‘vindictive’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, who, rather than focusing on his job has decided to use the office as a tool for political victimisation to go after workers he suspects not to be part of his team, including the Chiarman of the DVLA workers Union. Kotey had suggested that personnel would soon be deployed to countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany.
In a statement issued on February 26, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it had not authorised any such arrangement and had not issued directives to Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state categorically that it has neither issued a directive to our diplomatic missions abroad nor granted approval to any entity for such an arrangement,” the statement emphasised.
The Ministry added that it was unaware of any new government policy supporting the proposed overseas deployment and stressed that no formal engagement or financial commitment had been presented for consideration.
Shifting Position
The denial follows what critics describe asinconsistent communication from the DVLA leadership. Mr Kotey had earlier indicated in a radio interview and at the commissioning of a new DVLA office in Bantama, Kumasi, that staff would travel abroad in the coming months to facilitate licence registration and renewals.
However, after public backlash over the potential use of state resources, DVLA management issued a statement saying it was reviewing the proposed approach and exploring alternative ways to serve Ghanaians overseas.
“In view of these sentiments, Management is reviewing the proposed approach and exploring alternative options,” the Authority said, acknowledging public concern.
The issue has triggered widespread debate, with commentators questioning the prudence of deploying staff abroad when several local DVLA offices reportedly face staffing and logistical constraints.
Observers have also raised questions about allowances, accountability and whether the initiative had gone through the required regulatory and procurement processes.
Reaffirming its position, the Foreign Affairs Ministry assured the public of its commitment to transparency and financial discipline in public service delivery.
The sharp denial effectively distances the Ministry from the DVLA’s reported plans, intensifying scrutiny of the Authority’s leadership.
