Ghana's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) collected more than GHS 27 million from temporary vehicle registration stickers between January and September 2026. This figure surpasses the GHS 22 million recorded for the entire year 2025, indicating a substantial increase in revenue.
The DVLA's Chief Executive Officer, Julius Neequaye Kotey, announced these figures at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 12. He attributed the revenue growth to reforms designed to stop financial losses in the distribution of dealer plates, also known as DP plates, at Ghana’s ports. These reforms included replacing old aluminium DP plates with new tamper-proof digital stickers. A new system now requires every vehicle to obtain a sticker before leaving the port, ensuring proper registration and revenue capture.
This improved revenue collection aligns with broader government efforts to enhance public finance management and reduce leakages across state institutions. The DVLA's success in boosting its income from vehicle registration contributes directly to the national treasury, supporting public services and infrastructure development. Such reforms are crucial for Ghana's economic stability, especially as the government seeks to broaden its tax base and improve fiscal discipline. The previous year, 2024, saw the DVLA issue 76,312 DP plates, generating GHS 15 million. In 2025, this increased to 111,101 stickers, bringing in GHS 22 million. The current period, January to September 2026, has already seen 134,000 stickers issued, yielding over GHS 27 million.
Mr. Kotey stated that the new arrangement helped plug the leakages and ensured revenue from sticker issuance went to the government. He highlighted the steady increase in revenue following the introduction of the new system. The DVLA chief noted that upon assuming office, he immediately replaced the aluminium plates with tamper-proof digital stickers. He did not, however, disclose the exact amount the state lost under the previous system or provide a detailed breakdown of the specific revenue leakages identified. This lack of specific figures leaves questions about the full scale of past losses and the precise additional revenue recovered.
The implications of this successful reform are significant for public finance and regulatory compliance. The DVLA's ability to increase revenue through digital solutions sets a precedent for other state agencies struggling with revenue collection and leakages. This move also enhances transparency and accountability in vehicle registration processes. Decision-makers will likely observe this success as a model for implementing similar digital reforms in other sectors. The increased revenue provides more funds for government programs, potentially reducing reliance on external borrowing. This positive trend in revenue generation could also influence investor confidence in Ghana's public sector efficiency. The continuous monitoring of such reforms will be essential to ensure sustained financial gains and improved service delivery for citizens.