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DVLA to phase out number plates with year of registration

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Hon Abena Osei Asare - PAC chairperson

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will soon phase out number plates with the year of registration.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Julius Neequaye Kotey, who announced this at the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) hearing on Monday, 27 October 2025, said the new one would have security features.

Again, it is to end, among others, people importing vehicles and only registering them in their preferred year.

“But the one we are going to introduce, we will not be having a year of registration, which tells you that nobody can buy a car or nobody will wait until the next year before registration of a vehicle,” he said.

The CEO explained that “because every vehicle that must be in the system must be a vehicle that will be identified or can easily be identified by DVLA. But with what we had, we do not have information on them on some of the vehicles.”

SCAN

The CEO asserted that, when rolled out, a police officer will be able to access information about a vehicle, since the new number plates will have scannable security data.

With the help of information contained on the Ghana Card produced by the National Identification Authority, the DVLA will link the information of vehicle owners for easy identification.

The CEO stated that the new plate will have a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which he said would make it “very difficult” for crooks to outsmart.

MODUS OPERANDI

The DVLA CEO explained that the situation at the moment enables people to cut corners to have number plates by the roadside, which means the details of the vehicle and the owner would not be captured in the authority’s system, and they do not pay duty as well.

The CEO said they have done their checks and identified how it is done by these crooks. He said they mostly use numbers of accident cars.

He noted that sometimes with the help of some “officers”, they have what we call the custom documents and the chassis number; they bring the car of the same type, get a place and mark the number plates on it, and they will be using their number plates out there. So, we’ve done research to get to know all these strategies they use.”

DISRESPECT

Meanwhile, a little scene was created by the DVLA CEO and the PAC Chairperson, Abena Osei-Asare, the Member of Parliament for Atiwa East Constituency.

The chairperson appeared disrespected by the CEO for suggesting that she may have an unnecessary question.

After the CEO had stated that the RFID chip would have information security details, the chairperson asked to know the “kind of details” the DVLA would embed in the new number plates.

“You said it’s going to come with a lot of security details. I’m asking that a number plate, let’s say Ranking’s number plate, will be equipped with security features such that if the police should scan it, they’ll know that it truly belongs to Ranking.

“Because, in putting out somebody’s security out there, a bad person can also get hold of that. So that is why I’m asking, what kind of information are you going to put?” she asked.

In his answer, the CEO of the DVLA said it would comply with the data protection law, adding that the current form will now be digitalised.

She asked further whether the new plates would have the user’s surname, as was being discussed on social media, but the CEO responded that it will depend on the law.

Unconvinced, the PAC chair retorted that the CEO wields the authority and should be able to state the law, especially as she asked a specific question.

In his comeback, the CEO said, “We don’t put names on number plates. I wonder why that question. Sorry, but we don’t put names on number plates.

Livid, the PAC Chair responded, “You were wondering why that question? Because we don’t put names on number plates. What are you telling me? People pay to have their names on number plates. And you sit here as a DVLA boss and tell me you don’t put numbers on number plates.

“Haven’t you seen specialised numbers with people’s surnames and personalised names on number plates for yes or no cases?”

“Yes,” the CEO responded, explaining that the ordinary person will not register a car with a specialised name on the number plate, an explanation which the chair said did not mean some number plates do not have names of people on it.

The PAC Chair continued, “So why are you telling me you don’t put names on number plates? That is a blatant lie. You have people who pay for specialised number plates and they have their surnames.”

She stressed that she cannot go to the CEO’s “office to disrespect” him, and as the chair, she ordered the CEO to withdraw that statement, which he did.

 

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Two Granted GH¢50,000 Bail Each for Alleged Visa Fraud

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Bail Granted

The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful, has granted a social worker and a trader bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 each with two sureties, to be justified with title deeds, for allegedly defrauding a resident of Bukom under the pretext of securing her a Canadian visa.

The accused persons — Isaac Abaidoo, a social worker, and Florence Mensah, a trader — pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretences.

The facts as presented by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Wemegah, indicated that the complainant, Mavis Tagoe, a trader residing at Bukom, was introduced to the first accused by her mother, Victoria Tagoe, who is also a witness in the case.

According to the prosecution, in 2023, the accused persons allegedly conspired and convinced the complainant that they could secure her a work permit visa to New Zealand within a month. They reportedly demanded and collected GH¢30,000 from her through the second accused, Florence Mensah.

Three months later, Abaidoo allegedly informed the complainant that there were challenges with the New Zealand arrangement, but proposed a new opportunity for a Canadian visa, requesting an additional GH¢15,000, bringing the total amount to GH¢45,000.

After receiving the money, the accused persons allegedly failed to deliver on their promise and went into hiding. The complainant’s efforts to trace them proved futile, prompting her to lodge a formal complaint with the La Police.

Investigations led to their arrest, and during interrogation, the accused persons allegedly admitted the offence. They were subsequently charged and arraigned before the court.

The case, investigated by Detective Policewoman Patience Ashitey, has been adjourned for further hearing.

 

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2 Private Security Men Remanded over Alleged Land Guard Activities

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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0
Benjamin Takyi (L) and Alexander Gyabi (r) standing at the entrance of the Achimota Circuit Court

Two private security men have been remanded into police custody by the Achimota Circuit Court for allegedly engaging in land guard activities and unlawfully possessing military uniforms to intimidate residents at Bortaiman in the Greater Accra Region.

The accused persons — Benjamin Takyi, 33, and Alexander Gyabi, 20 — pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Her Honour Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong on Monday.

They were charged on two counts: prohibition of activities of land guards, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), and restriction on the use of military uniforms and equipment, contrary to Section 1 of NRCD 177 of 1967.

According to the facts presented by the prosecutor, ASP Stephen Ahiale, the complainant, King Adu Francis, a businessman residing at Tema, legally acquired a plot of land at Bortaiman from the Nungua Traditional Council and fenced it off in February 2025 to prevent encroachment.

On October 26, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m., the complainant reportedly sent his workers to the land to construct two gate pillars. While they were working, the first accused, Benjamin Takyi, allegedly armed with a pump-action gun, knives, and sticks, stormed the site with four others — Kinsley Adjei, Adjeman William, Isaac Owusu, and Isaac Adjeman, who are currently at large — and attacked the workers.

Police, acting on a distress call, proceeded to the scene and arrested Takyi, while his accomplices fled into a nearby bush. Upon interrogation, Takyi admitted that he had been aided by Kinsley Adjei to confront the workers.

The following day, October 27, police revisited the area and arrested the second accused, Alexander Gyabi, who was found in possession of military uniforms without lawful authority.

Gyabi told investigators that the uniforms belonged to a friend identified as Emmanuel Takor.

Investigations, according to the prosecutor, revealed that the accused persons and their accomplices are part of a group of land guards allegedly terrorizing residents of Bortaiman and its environs.

The court has remanded Benjamin Takyi and Alexander Gyabi into police custody to reappear on November 10, 2025. A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of the remaining suspects who are currently on the run.

 

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Editorial: Public Senior High Schools, Long Hair And Matters Arising

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The recent viral video of a Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School student being forced to cut her hair has once again ignited a national debate about personal rights, school discipline and cultural conformity.

The video, which was reportedly filmed and shared by the barber, without consent, has drawn public outrage, not just for the act itself, but for what it represents, a system still struggling to balance tradition with modern interpretations of human rights.

This incident immediately brings to mind the case of Tyrone Iras Marhguy, the Rastafarian student whose admission to Achimota School in 2021 was initially denied because of his dreadlocks. After a heated national debate, the Human Rights Division of the High Court ruled in his favour, affirming that denying admission based on hairstyle amounted to a violation of his fundamental human rights. That ruling was not merely about hair; it was about the recognition of individual identity, religious freedom and dignity within public institutions.

Four years on, however, the conversation seems to have come full cycle. The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, speaking at Mawuli Senior High School’s 75th anniversary, stated emphatically that no student with long hair will be admitted into any public senior high school.

According to him, permitting such freedoms could erode discipline, leading to challenges over dress codes and other school rules. While his concerns about maintaining discipline are valid, the outright ban on long hair in the face of a standing court ruling raises troubling legal and moral questions.

How do we reconcile a court’s decision, which affirms that hairstyle is a matter of personal and religious freedom, with a ministerial directive that enforces conformity in the name of discipline? When the law upholds individual rights but policy dictates otherwise, we are left in a state of contradiction, one that undermines respect for the rule of law and weakens public trust in governance.

If the Minister of Education truly believes that Ghana’s schools must maintain a strict uniform hair policy, then the appropriate route is legislation, not pronouncement. As a Member of Parliament, he has the power to initiate a bill to codify such standards. That would at least provide legal clarity and democratic legitimacy, rather than leaving students and headmasters caught between conflicting interpretations of law and policy.

The notion that long hair, dreadlocks or braids undermine discipline stems from outdated colonial-era notions of order and respectability. Education should be a space that moulds minds, not identities. Discipline and excellence are not measured by the length of one’s hair but by the content of one’s character, commitment to learning and contribution to society.

Tyrone Marhguy’s reflection on social media captures this perfectly. He questioned the link between uniformity and equality, a challenge that should make us pause. If uniformity means suppressing diversity, then perhaps we are teaching our young people the wrong lesson about freedom, tolerance and coexistence.

As we continue to modernise the education system, we must ensure that discipline and human rights coexist. The goal should not be to produce obedient students who all look alike, but confident citizens who think critically and express themselves responsibly.

The debate over hair may seem trivial to some, but it reflects a much larger struggle to reconcile tradition, law and modern values in a democratic society.

 

 

 

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Smuggling is killing local businesses -FABAG Warns

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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John Awuni, Chairman of the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG)

The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a worsening crisis of smuggling across the country’s borders, warning that the illegal trade is bleeding the state of billions of cedis in revenue every month.

In a strongly worded statement, FABAG said while legitimate businesses are struggling with high operational costs and heavy taxation, smugglers continue to flood the Ghanaian market with untaxed and often substandard goods.

The association revealed that recent intelligence from border communities and industry stakeholders shows widespread smuggling of essential commodities such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, alcoholic beverages, and textiles. FABAG warned that this illicit trade not only undermines local industries, but also deprives the government of critical tax revenue needed for national development.

“Compliant businesses are subjected to rigorous tax regimes and levies while smugglers thrive unchecked. This is a double tragedy—honest traders are being unfairly penalized while criminal networks prosper,” the statement said.

According to FABAG, Ghana is losing hundreds of millions of cedis every week through unmonitored smuggling activities at both official and unofficial entry points.

The group cautioned that the situation threatens the stability of the economy, weakens the cedi, discourages investment, and endangers thousands of jobs in the manufacturing and distribution sectors.

FABAG called on the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the National Security agencies to intensify enforcement at the borders, deploy modern surveillance systems, and strengthen collaboration with local communities to curb the menace.

The group also urged the Ministry of Finance to review the current import tax regime as it prepares the 2026 budget statement, arguing that high import duties and cumbersome port procedures have been major drivers of smuggling.

“The government cannot continue losing significant revenue while burdening Ghanaians and businesses with new electricity and water tariffs,” FABAG cautioned, describing the crisis as both an economic and national security threat.

FABAG emphasised that urgent reforms are needed to protect Ghana’s borders, sustain local industries, and safeguard the future of legitimate businesses before the situation spirals further out of control.

 

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Long hair will no more be entertained in Senior High Schools –Haruna Iddrisu

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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0
Achimota School

The government has maintained the long-held norm of students having short hair in public schools, particularly in the Senior High Schools.

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who waded into the long hair brouhaha, stated clearly that it would no longer be admitted in public senior high schools.

Mawuli School

Speaking at the 75th Anniversary of Mawuli, Volta Region, on Saturday, October 25, 2025 the Education Minister underscored that the country may, in the near future, have to deal with much more serious issues, if that of the long hair is left unsettled.

“There is an ongoing debate on social media about haircuts and size and length of hair in secondary schools. We will not tolerate it today. We will not tolerate it tomorrow. And so long as we are moulding character, if we give in to hair today, tomorrow it will be shoes. And the next day it will be the way they dress,” Minister Haruna said.

Adisadel College

He continued that, “So, anybody who thinks that your child will walk into any institution of learning, as if that child, forgive my words, was to attend a beauty contest, the school environment is not for that purpose and not cut for that purpose, and we will not tolerate that as an institution.”

The government has “empowered” headmasters and the Ghana Education Service to “take full control of how students behave on your campuses” as part of the disciplinary measures, the minister announced.

VIDEO

Reports indicate that a video that has gone viral on social media and has become a subject of debate, was recorded and posted by a Barber who cut the long hair of a first year student of Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School.

Prempeh College

It has also been reported that the father of the girl, after noticing the video on social media, has confronted the Barber, questioning him about why he filmed the girl and shared it on the internet without the consent of the parent.

It is not known whether the parent may consider legal action against the Barber or whether they would leave the matter to rest.

REPEAT

The current issue reminds the public of what occurred at Achimota School a few years ago. Readers will recall that in 2021, the High Court compelled Achimota School to admit Tyrone Marhguy who had dreadlocks.

The school had earlier denied him admission because of his dreadlocks, but the Rastafarian family of the boy sued the school and was successful.

Nearly five years later, a first year female student of Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School has been ordered to cut her long hair, which she complied with, a development that has generated debate.

AFTERMATH

In the heat of the new incident, Tyrone made a cryptic post on his Facebook page, asking about the nexus between uniformity and equality. He recounted the battles he had to fight to be able to have secondary education without compromising his identity.

“And finally, it’s the ultimate ‘failure’: gaining admission to the University of Pennsylvania to study computer engineering on a fully awarded scholarship,” he wrote in part.
He ended by saying, “I believe society cannot be judged, for it is not one entity. It may look like we are chasing a valuable concept, uniformity, by forcing all students to keep a low cut.

“But what has uniformity got to do with equality? Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I’m hoping someday, we will lay the first bricks!”

 

 

 

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Police bust ‘Baby Factory,’ human trafficking syndicate in Ondo

By
admin
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Ondo State

The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected baby factory and human trafficking syndicate operating in Ore, the headquarters of the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade.

Ayanlade said the case, which originated from the Ore division, had been transferred to the Command’s Gender-Based Violence Unit for thorough investigation.

The discovery followed a report made on October 21, 2025, by a 17-year-old girl, identified as Vivian Peter from Akwa Ibom State, who told the police that she had been trafficked from her home state to Ore under the guise of securing a job opportunity.

Upon arrival in Ore, the teenager was allegedly taken to a facility posing as a clinic, which later turned out to be a baby factory.

There, she reportedly met other pregnant girls being held against their will.

She disclosed that the operator of the facility, Ada Clement, instructed her to be taken to another hospital for a medical scan, but she managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ore Police Division.

Acting swiftly on the report, police operatives from the Ore division, in collaboration with the gender unit, raided the facility, rescuing five pregnant girls and a baby boy.

One of the victims had already given birth and is currently receiving post-natal care at the General Hospital, Ore, while the others are in protective custody.

Credit: channelstv.com

Five teenagers killed in Gombe boat accident, Gov Yahaya mourns

By
admin
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Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya

Five teenagers have been killed in a boat accident in the Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The incident was said to have occurred on the Nafada River when a boat conveying passengers across the river to a village market capsized.

Five killed in boat accident

The victims of the unfortunate incident, which happened on Saturday, were identified as Najib Ibrahim (18), Hauwa’u Dogal (15), Ummati Baraya (16), Umaira Gidado (16), and Amina Jaliya (15).

Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the incident as heart-wrenching and painful, especially considering the tender ages of the victims and the grief it has brought upon their families and the entire Nafada community.

“This is a very tragic and unfortunate incident that has cut short the lives of promising young people. My heart goes out to their parents, families, and the entire Nafada community at this difficult time,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by Director-General (Press Affairs) at the Government House, Ismaila Misilli.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the people of the Nafada Local Government Area, praying Almighty Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

He also stressed the need for strict adherence to safety standards in water transportation, calling on local government councils, community leaders, boat operators, and regulatory agencies to intensify efforts towards ensuring that all safety protocols are observed to prevent future tragedies.

He further directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Nafada local government council to provide every possible support to the affected families and work closely with relevant agencies to enhance safety and awareness in riverine communities.

Credit: channelstv.com

Alleged Terrorism: Kanu declines to enter defence, insists no case against him

By
admin
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Nnamdi Kanu in court

The leader of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has shelved his earlier plan to call witnesses in his defence in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism offences.

The court had adjourned the case until October 27 for Kanu to open his defence on October 24. The IPOB leader had written the court, indicating his intention to call witnesses and applied for a witness summons. He also begged the court for time to study his case file.

At the resumed hearing, Kanu said he has gone through the case file and has realised that there is no valid charge against him.

He argued that since he is convinced that there is no valid charge against him and that he was subjected to an unlawful trial, there would be no need for him to open any defence.

Justice James Omotosho asked him to file a written response to that effect and serve it on the prosecution.

The judge advised him to consult experts in criminal law on the consequences of the option he has chosen.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned till the 4th,5th & 6th November for the adoption of the final written addresses based on the defendant’s position that the evidence led so far and the charge has not established any case against him, or for the defendant to enter his defence.

Credit: channelstv.com

Nigeria to host maiden meeting of IPI Africa Bloc

By
admin
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Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris

Nigeria has agreed to host the maiden meeting of the African bloc of the National Committees of the International Press Institute (IPI).

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed this during a meeting at the weekend in Vienna, Austria.

He met with the Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Marton Gergely, the IPI Executive Director, Scott Griffen, and the IPI Executive Board Member representing Nigeria and Africa, Raheem Adedoyin.

The IPI African Bloc is a regional network within the International Press Institute created to address Africa’s specific media and press freedom interests.

The Board had earlier approved the creation of regional blocs of National Committees to address specific regional interests within the global IPI community.

The minister recalled that Nigeria successfully hosted the IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja in 2018, adding that the country “is ready for another world-class hosting.”

Although no date has been fixed for the event, Griffen disclosed that the IPI Secretariat in Vienna will collaborate with Adedoyin and the IPI Nigeria National Committee to finalise the arrangements.

IPI Executive Board Chairman, Gergely, described Nigeria as “a leading light in democratic governance with a free press.”

Similarly, the IPI Executive Director, Griffen, praised the Nigeria National Committee for its “robust press freedom engagements” across the continent.

During the meeting, the Minister raised the long-standing appeal by the IPI Nigeria National Committee for the Institute’s renewed support to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos.

He reminded the IPI leadership that the NIJ was founded by the Institute in 1971 during the board presidency of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and noted that its Governing Board is currently chaired by Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Ogun State Governor and IPI leader.

The Minister, a leading IPI member, attended the IPI World Congress and 75th Anniversary held in Vienna. Credit: channelstv.com

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