ACCRA, Ghana, 12th October: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) says it has impounded 357 vehicles suspected of having customs irregularities and handed them over to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the necessary action.
The Chief Executive Officer of DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, disclosed this at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 12, 2026.
He said the vehicles were identified through the use of on-board diagnostic (OBD) devices acquired by the Authority to verify vehicle identification details and detect suspected cloning and customs evasion.
According to Mr Kotey, some vehicles are brought into Ghana through unapproved routes, after which their owners allegedly obtain identification details associated with other vehicles whose customs duties have already been paid.
He explained that such practices can result in duplicate chassis numbers appearing in DVLA’s registration system, potentially affecting legitimate vehicle owners.
The introduction of the diagnostic devices, he said, has improved the Authority’s ability to identify suspicious vehicles before they are registered.
“Our last record shows that by October 9, 2026, 357 vehicles have been impounded and handed over to Ghana Revenue Authority to ensure the payment of the required custom duties,” he said.
The CEO added that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to protect government revenue and strengthen vehicle registration controls.
DVLA has also begun registering excavators at ports of entry in collaboration with the Minerals Commission, with more than 7,700 excavators reportedly captured under the initiative.
The Authority says the measures are intended to improve vehicle identification, support regulatory enforcement and enhance accountability in the importation and registration of vehicles and heavy equipment.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
