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The Vehicle Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG) has formally petitioned the Ministry of Transport to halt the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority’s (DVLA) planned introduction of digitalised vehicle number plates, slated for January 2026.
In a statement issued on December 1 and signed by Secretary, Victor Twum Koranteng, the association accused the DVLA of sidelining key local stakeholder like VEMAG and pursuing a poorly coordinated rollout that could jeopardise the livelihoods of more than 3,000 workers in the embossment industry.
“The DVLA’s plans to change old Vehicle number plates to new digitalized number plates by January 2026 seem to have hit a stumbling block because the DVLA, in planning the programme, had failed to consult with its major stakeholder, the Vehicle Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG),” the Association said.
VEMAG argued that the transition process from old vehicle number plates to new digitalized number plates has been poor due to management’s ill-preparedness.
“It is for this reason that the Vehicle Number Plates Embossers Association (VEMAG), is petitioning the Minister for Transport to halt the programme to prevent any confusion and embarrassment to the DVLA come January next year,” the Association appealed.
VEMAG emphasised its long-standing role as the legally recognised embosser of vehicle plates in Ghana, noting that it has historically pre-financed production for the DVLA and consistently paid taxes.
The group argued that the transition to digital plates appears to favour foreign contractors over established Ghanaian businesses.
“VEMAG strongly believe that the DVLA is seeking to introduce foreign companies into the system just to deny over 3,000 plus Ghanaians of their livelihood because the foreign participation will only mean one thing, rendering over 3,000 embossment workers throughout the country, unemployed,” VEMAG noted.
VEMAG also called on the Minister of Transport to oblige the DVLA Chief Executive Officer to hold a consultative meeting with VEMAG on the issue, for the two, to find a common path for a successful transition from the old number plates to the new digitised plates.
VEMAG says the suspension of the new digitalised number plates for at least six (6) months, will give the DVLA and VEMAG more time to plan and properly execute the changeover.
The association further criticised the DVLA CEO for allegedly engaging in international trips and negotiations with foreign companies while neglecting proper local consultation.
VEMAG rejected claims that private embossers are unused elsewhere, citing examples from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Nigeria, and pointed out that Ghana’s Road Traffic Act mandates collaboration with private operators.
The association appealed with the Ministry of Transport to investigate assertions by the DVLA CEO regarding illegal operators in the Embossment business, stressing that officially recognised embossment firms number fewer than 50 nationwide.
“VEMAG finds it difficult to believe that apart from the DVLA’s officially permitted companies that are not more than 50 companies, there should be, on the blind side of the DVLA, 154 companies illegally operating as Embossers,” they noted.
While welcoming technological modernisation, VEMAG insists the process must be gradual and collaborative to safeguard jobs and ensure a smooth national implementation.
Source: 3news
