Use of chieftaincy crests number plates by Chiefs; Ministry gives March ultimatum to clamp down
By DL News
Published
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The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has described the trend as a significant security risk and warned that such unregistered vehicles will be impounded if
The Interior Ministry is set to clamp down on the increasing practice of traditional rulers replacing official vehicle registration plates with their chieftaincy crests.
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has described the trend as a significant security risk and warned that such unregistered vehicles will be impounded if chiefs fail to comply with the law.
Addressing the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in Dodowa last Wednesday, Mr. Muntaka emphasized that, under Ghana’s Constitution, only the President can legally operate a vehicle without a standard registration plate.
He, therefore, issued a directive, giving chiefs until the end of March to register their vehicles with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) or face strict enforcement measures.
Citing Regulation 10 of the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012 (L.I. 2180), the minister reiterated that all motor vehicles must bear official number plates issued by the DVLA, with no exemptions for chiefs or other traditional authorities. He explained that replacing plates with chieftaincy crests violates the law and poses a major security challenge.
The minister urged traditional leaders to comply with the regulations and avoid potential legal confrontations. He stressed that while authorities will allow time for voluntary compliance, enforcement will be strict once the grace period expires.
To facilitate compliance, Mr. Muntaka encouraged chiefs to take advantage of the DVLA’s provision for personalized registration plates, which allows vehicle owners to acquire customized plates while still adhering to legal requirements.
He further announced plans to engage traditional rulers across all 16 regions to ensure awareness and compliance before the deadline. He called on the Regional Houses of Chiefs to take the matter seriously and ensure their members register their vehicles to prevent any disruptions.
With the deadline fast approaching, chiefs and traditional authorities are being urged to act swiftly to avoid any legal repercussions as the government moves to uphold road safety and national security.
