The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nipke, has issued a directive to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ghana Police Service to step up enforcement against rickety vehicles on the country’s roads.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Minister stressed the urgent need for tighter inspections and the removal of unsafe vehicles that endanger lives daily.
“As a government, we will need to sit down on getting rickety cars off the roads,” Nipke said.
“I have had conversations with the DVLA that any vehicle that is not inspected properly should not be given a roadworthy certificate. But it goes beyond them.”
He explained that responsibility does not lie with the DVLA alone, noting the important role of the police in enforcement.
“The police should come in and be able to take out that vehicle as well.
“DVLA should not give a roadworthy certificate to any vehicle when they have not seen it. If they have seen it and it is not roadworthy, it should not be certified.”
Nipke also pointed to the need for government intervention in providing safer alternatives for commuters who often rely on old and unsafe vehicles due to lack of choice.
“We should take it upon ourselves as a government to bring in more vehicles to support Metro Mass Transport, STC and others to be able to service more people.
“If they have the alternatives, they will not be moved to enter those rickety cars,” he added.
