Category: Daily Guide Network

A 22-year-old father, Stephen Amoako and his two friends have been arrested by the Ghana Police Service, while two are on the run after video surfaced online showing a two-year-old child being given an alcoholic beverage at Kade in the Eastern Region.

The other suspects include Tawiah Precious, also known as T’ Moni (18), and Emmanuel Dadzie, alias Shapiro (24), who were arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

According to the police, efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the two suspects on the run, identified as Afram Bright, alias Mogabe, and Panyin.

The arrests were carried out by officers of the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team at Okumani, a suburb of Kade, following sustained intelligence-led operations.

Meanwhile, the two-year-old victim has been rescued and handed over to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at Asamankese for protection, pending reunification with the child’s mother.

The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its commitment to the protection of children, and urged the public to report any form of abuse or endangerment of minors.

The Ghana Arbitration Centre (GAC), in a unanimous decision, has ordered Justmoh Construction Limited to refund US$33.3 million to Ashanti Port Services Limited as the outstanding balance of advance mobilisation payments arising from disputes over the Boankra Inland Port (BILT) project.

The amount is to attract simple interest at a rate of four percent per annum, calculated from 30 days after receipt of the award until full payment is made.

Conversely, the tribunal directed Ashanti Port Services Limited to pay US$7,107,456.70 to Justmoh Construction Limited as compensation for earthworks executed at the project site.

On costs, the tribunal ordered Justmoh Construction Limited to pay 75 percent of Ashanti Port Services’ legal fees, as well as 75 percent of the claimant’s share of the arbitrators’ and administrative fees.

This amounts to US$226,875 and GHS26,250, with no interest accruing on the costs award.

The arbitration involved Ashanti Port Services Limited as the claimant and Justmoh Construction Limited as the respondent.

The claimant was represented by G.A. Sarpong and Co., while the respondent was represented by Owusu-Ankomah, Arvoh Mensah, Dzigba and Associates.

The dispute formally commenced on December 19, 2023, when the Ghana Arbitration Centre received Ashanti Port Services Limited’s Notice of Arbitration.

This was followed by the respondent’s answer on January 10, 2024 and the claimant’s reply on January 22, 2024.

On February 12, 2024, the GAC constituted a three-member tribunal comprising Emmanuel Amofa, Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong and Justice Nene A.O. Amegatcher, who served as chair.

Neither party raised any objection to the composition of the tribunal.

At a virtual arbitration management conference held on March 5, 2024, the parties agreed that certain preliminary matters should be determined first.

These included the respondent’s challenge to the tribunal’s jurisdiction and the claimant’s applications for interim injunction and preservation orders.

Following the exchange of affidavits and written submissions, the tribunal conducted an online oral hearing on April 2, 2024, during which both parties, represented by counsel, made detailed submissions on the preliminary issues.

After post-hearing briefs were filed, the tribunal closed hearings on the preliminary matters and issued its Award on Jurisdiction and Interim Relief on May 17, 2024.

The proceedings then moved on to the substantive merits of the dispute.

A key issue before the tribunal was whether earthworks executed by Justmoh Construction were worth about US$33 million, as claimed by the respondent.

Ashanti Port Services argued that the cost of the earthworks did not exceed an estimated US$4 million, relying largely on earlier projections.

However, the tribunal found that the claimant failed to provide independent evidence or expert testimony to support its valuation and noted that Ashanti Port Services did not conduct its own independent assessment of the cost of the earthworks.

Justmoh Construction, on the other hand, relied on interim payment certificates, monthly progress reports, photographs, designs and correspondence from the independent consultant, Vision Consult.

The respondent also cited letters in which the claimant acknowledged that the value of works executed exceeded US$33 million.

While observing that earthworks were not expressly provided for under the Boankra Contract, the tribunal accepted that substantial works had been executed and were supported by documentary and photographic evidence presented during the proceedings.

In its final award, the tribunal declared that Justmoh Construction lawfully terminated the Boankra Contract, thereby settling the dispute over the contract’s termination.

All other claims and requests for relief by both parties were dismissed, bringing the arbitration proceedings at the Ghana Arbitration Centre to a close.

Ashanti Port’s stance after ruling

The Kwahu Nkwatia Benkumhene, Nana Afum Dwamena III, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Port Services Limited, has expressed satisfaction with the verdict delivered by the Ghana Arbitration Centre.

Speaking in an interview with the media, the traditional ruler said he accepts the decision of the tribunal and believes it provides clarity and closure to the matter.

According to Nana Afum Dwamena III, the ruling reflects the strength of the country’s alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and underscores the importance of resolving disputes through lawful and institutional processes.

He noted that arbitration remains a credible avenue for settling complex disagreements, particularly those involving major projects and contractual obligations.

The Kwahu Nkwatia Benkumhene indicated that while arbitration outcomes may not always fully satisfy all parties, respecting the final decision is crucial to maintaining confidence in the justice system.

He emphasised that accepting the verdict demonstrates maturity, responsibility and respect for the rule of law.

He further explained that prolonged disputes often stall development and create uncertainty, which negatively affects communities and investors.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manso Nkwanta, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo, has rolled out a comprehensive scholarship scheme to support indigenes of the constituency pursuing tertiary education, with particular emphasis on nursing, health-related programmes, teacher training and university education.

The initiative, he said, is a deliberate investment in human capital development as a sustainable route to youth employment, poverty reduction and long-term socio-economic transformation in the constituency.

According to the MP, by reducing the financial burden associated with higher education, the scheme aims to ensure that brilliant but needy students are not denied the opportunity to further their studies.

He told DAILY GUIDE that education remains the most effective tool for empowering young people and accelerating community development.

‘A well-educated and skilled youth population is the backbone of every progressive society. This scholarship is an investment in the future of Manso Nkwanta and Ghana,’ he noted.

Over the years, rising tuition fees, accommodation costs and the high price of learning materials have made tertiary education increasingly inaccessible to many families in the constituency, he stated, and added that as a result, several qualified students have been forced to defer admission or abandon their academic ambitions altogether.

Mr. Fokuo explained that the scholarship scheme is designed to ease the burden on parents and guardians while enabling beneficiaries to concentrate fully on their studies.

He pointed out that students from nursing and teacher training colleges, technical and vocational institutions, as well as public and private universities, are eligible to apply.

The MP further explained that special priority has been given to nursing and other health-related programmes in recognition of the growing demand for trained health professionals both locally and internationally, and the critical role they play in national development.

He stressed that the initiative aligns with his broader commitment to building an employable, competitive and self-reliant youth population in Manso Nkwanta.

‘When our youth acquire relevant skills and professional qualifications, they do not only improve their own lives but strengthen families, boost the local economy and become drivers of development,’ he said.

The MP emphasised that the scholarship is open to all indigenes of the constituency, regardless of gender, religion or political affiliation. Selection, he assured, will be guided by clear and transparent criteria, with priority given to needy but academically committed students.

Details on application procedures and timelines, he added, will be communicated through his office and local channels to ensure fairness and wide access.

Mr. Fokuo urged traditional leaders, parents, educational institutions and corporate bodies to complement the initiative, noting that sustainable development requires shared responsibility.

First Atlantic Bank has successfully completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO), which was oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor confidence in the bank’s financial stability and growth prospects.

The listing marks the first IPO on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) since 2018 and is expected to contribute to strengthening Ghana’s capital market while broadening ownership of the bank.

According to the GSE, at the listing last Friday, First Atlantic Bank’s shares were priced at GHS7.30 per share. More than 2,000 shares were traded, with the price rising to GHS7.70. Although trading is still ongoing, the share price had already gained about 14 per cent in early trading.

Speaking at a celebratory lunch after the listing, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the bank, Odun Odunfa, said the IPO was critical to broadening the bank’s investor base, enhancing corporate governance and raising capital for future growth.

Mr. Odunfa explained that the IPO would play a crucial role in supporting the bank’s expansion plans, including investments in digital technology, regional growth across West Africa and human capital development.

‘We are very ambitious about the future. Our focus is on digital transformation, regional expansion and investing in our people. These are the foundations for the bank’s future success, and this IPO will give us the capital to achieve these goals,’ he said.

He added that the listing represents an important step towards strengthening the bank’s market position and enabling it to better serve its customers, employees and shareholders.

According to him, the move would not only enhance the bank’s visibility and profile in Ghana but also position it as a regional player capable of delivering greater value to stakeholders with the support of both institutional and individual Ghanaian investors.

The Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange, Abena Amoah, described the listing as a significant milestone, noting that it is the first equity IPO since 2018. She noted that the entire listing process was completed within three months.

Ms Amoah said the oversubscription demonstrates the high level of investor confidence in the bank’s prospects and also reflects the strong performance of the GSE this year.

She encouraged other companies and banks to follow the example of First Atlantic Bank by listing on the exchange to raise capital, given growing investor interest in reputable brands.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, who commended First Atlantic Bank, said the listing marks the beginning of a new phase for the institution, characterised by higher standards, broader ownership and deeper responsibility.

Dr. Asiama emphasised that, beyond their role in strengthening the financial system, listed banks are subject to continuous market scrutiny, which reinforces governance and accountability.

He said the Central Bank would continue to support the development of Ghana’s financial markets to enable banks to access equity capital and ultimately contribute to the country’s economic growth.

The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested approximately US$4.8 million in skills development programmes, which underscores its commitment to people, communities and the creation of enduring value beyond mining operations.

The Foundation believes education and skills development are long-term investments in human capital and has prioritised training initiatives aimed at equipping young people with employable skills.

Its education and training interventions include a Scholarship Scheme, Graduate Training Programme, Community Apprenticeship Programme, Heavy Duty Mine Equipment Training, Mine Apprenticeship Training and Precision Welding Training programmes.

These programmes target youth living within the catchment areas of the Tarkwa and Damang mines of Gold Fields Ghana.

The Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Gold Fields Ghana, Elliot Twum, disclosed this at a graduation dinner held for the third cohort of the Foundation’s Graduate Training Programme.

Launched in 2018, the programme has become a cornerstone of Gold Fields’ skills development strategy, targeting tertiary graduates from the company’s host communities. The two-year structured programme provides immersive, on-the-job training across various departments of Gold Fields Ghana.

To date, 261 graduates have benefited from the programme. Mr. Twum noted that to further strengthen industry readiness and professional competence, trainees received Minerals Commission (MinCom) certifications as well as Lean Six Sigma White Belt certifications.

‘These certifications equip them with recognised competencies in regulatory compliance, process improvement and operational excellence,’ he said.

Mr. Twum further revealed that 17 trainees from the current cohort have already secured employment, six from Damang and eleven from Tarkwa, while one graduate is pursuing further studies abroad.

The Special Guest of Honour, Professor Grace Ofori-Sarpong, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), encouraged the graduates to reach their full potential.

She urged them to make themselves relevant and become problem-solvers in their future organisations.

For his part, the Lead Specialist for Community Relations and Sustainability at Gold Fields Ghana, Robert Siaw, expressed optimism that the graduates would take initiative and assume responsibility in ways that positively influence the communities and workplaces they join.

At least four individuals have been arrested by the Ghana Police Service within the Tamale Metropolis for their involvement in illicit substances.

The suspects include Ibrahim Abudu, Abdul Hanan, Seidu Abdul Razak, and Arafat Yasir.

According to a police report, Ibrahim Abudu was arrested at Taha after he was found in possession of Tramadol capsules and suspected Indian hemp.

Abdul Hanan was also arrested at Gumani with a parcel of suspected Indian hemp and later led police to his supplier, Mohammed Ibrahim, who was found with sacks of the substance.

Two additional suspects, Seidu Abdul Razak and Arafat Yasir, were arrested at Bilpeila and Taha, respectively, with opioid tablets and other pills.

The operation, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team, targeted crime-prone areas and hotspots across the metropolis and also raided the Changli area, known for drug peddling and other criminal activities, and recovered seven bottles of Benylin Codeine, opioid drugs, and suspected Indian hemp.

The suspects are currently being held at the Sakasaka Police Station to assist with further investigations, while efforts continue to apprehend other suspects still at large.

The police have reiterated their commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations to ensure the safety and security of lives, property, and economic activities in the Tamale Metropolis.

The police report further indicated that the operations, which commenced recently, were aimed at enhancing police visibility, gathering intelligence, and deterring criminal activity.

Parliament has honoured outstanding members of the Parliamentary Press Corps and reaffirmed its commitment to media freedom, transparency and accountability, at a special Parliamentary Media Recognition Night and Soiree held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the forecourt of Parliament.

The highlight of the night was the award of Best Print Journalist for 2025 to DAILY GUIDE’s Parliamentary Correspondent, Ernest Kofi Adu, in recognition of his excellence in parliamentary reporting, professional integrity and dedication to truthful journalism that informs and empowers the Ghanaian public.

Mr. Adu received a plaque and citation praising his sharp reporting, gripping storytelling and ability to break down complex parliamentary debates, legislation and policy issues into accessible narratives that promote public discourse and democratic accountability.

The citation described his work as embodying ‘the highest standards of accuracy, relevance and ethical rigour,’ making Parliament’s work meaningful to ordinary citizens.

Several other journalists and media professionals were also recognised for their contributions. They included Rachel Quartey of GBC, named Best Journalist for Public Service Broadcast; Paul Egbenya of Channel One TV, Best Camera Operator; Frank Bruce of Odekro, Best Social Media Journalist; Elsie Appiah of the Ghana News Agency, Best Online Journalist; Kwaku Asante of Joy News and Joy FM, Best TV and Radio Journalist (English); and Emmanuel Akorli of Peace FM and UTV, Best TV and Radio Journalist (Twi). Long Service Awards went to Awudu Mahama of The Custodian newspaper and Osman Ahmed Alidu, a freelance journalist.

There were also special citations presented to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahuma Djietror, in recognition of their support for media engagement and parliamentary openness.

In a wide-ranging address, Speaker Bagbin described the media as an indispensable pillar of democracy and a critical bridge between Parliament and the people.

He noted that Ghana’s Constitution places sovereignty in the hands of the people, with Parliament exercising delegated authority on their behalf, making the role of the media in informing citizens indispensable.

‘The word is the world,’ the Speaker said, stressing that democracy thrives on information, responsible communication and public understanding.

He praised the Parliamentary Press Corps for spending ‘sleepless nights’ translating the technical and complex business of Parliament into stories the public can understand, adding that Parliament would never support laws or actions that undermine press freedom.

The Speaker announced that the Parliamentary Media Recognition Night would become an annual event, and pledged continued collaboration with journalists, including improvements in internet connectivity, media access, and support for parliamentary reporting both locally and internationally.

He reaffirmed Parliament’s resolve not to pass any legislation, including amendments to the Electronic Communications Act, that would stifle constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended Parliament for recognising the media’s contribution to democratic governance and accountability.

He described the relationship between Parliament and the media as ‘central to democracy,’ noting that without journalists, citizens would not know how their Members of Parliament (MPs) represent them or how laws are made.

Mr. Dwumfour appealed for sustained institutional support for journalists covering Parliament, acknowledging the demanding and often challenging nature of their work.

He reaffirmed the GJA’s commitment to responsible, ethical and professional journalism, while urging Parliament to resist laws and regulations that could be used to suppress free speech.

He raised concerns about aspects of the Electronic Communications Act and other laws being applied against journalists, arguing that such provisions were increasingly being used as substitutes for the repealed Criminal Libel Law.

He called for a review or clarification of such laws to safeguard press freedom.

The GJA President also renewed calls for improved conditions of service for journalists, including the possibility of a private member’s bill to standardise remuneration and strengthen the economic independence of media practitioners, which he described as a key factor affecting Ghana’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index.

The Abeka Traditional Area has formally inducted Nii Dodoo Ansah III into the Abeka Palace as the legitimate Dzaasetse of the Abeka Stool, marking a significant milestone in the traditional and communal life of Abeka.

The ceremony, held on December 10, 2025, was performed by the Nii Boi Royal Family, custodians of the Abeka Stool under the traditional authority of the Asere Stool. The rites were led by Nii Boi IV, Abeka Mantse, together with principal elders of the stool, in accordance with established customs.

Nii Dodoo Ansah III, who was originally enstooled as Abeka Dzaasetse on November 25, 2019, succeeds the late Ansah Dodoo II. His induction affirms his authority and lineage as a son of the late Nii Amu Ansah I, whose service to the stool was recalled with honour during the ceremony.

As part of the rites, the Amu Dodoo Family, custodians of the Dzaasetse seat, presented customary items to the Nii Boi Royal Family. These included a sheep, two cartons of drinks, bottled water, a bottle of schnapps, and an undisclosed amount of money, symbolising respect, gratitude, and the reaffirmation of traditional bonds between the two families.

The ceremony was officiated by Nii Boi IV, supported by Lawyer Samuel Akrong, head of the Nii Boi Royal Family, and several eminent traditional leaders, including Alex Nii Yartey Boye, Principal Elder; Nii Adama III, Asere Asafoatse Nukpa; Otsaame Anyaa II, Abeka Otsaame; Asafoatse Brenya II, Abeka Asafoatse; and other elders of the royal family.

Members of the Amu Dodoo Family who accompanied the new Dzaasetse included Harriett Dodoo, head of the family, alongside Nii Amu Dodoo, Nii Commey Dodoo, Nii Otoe Darku, Nii Darku Dodoo, Nii Nyann, and Naa Dodua Dodoo.

The induction follows a reconciliation forum held in Abeka from June 26, 2025, led by Chief Alhaji Sulley and Nii Otoe Tsuru I, Mayira Mantse. The forum resolved longstanding disputes and reaffirmed key traditional arrangements, including the continued custodianship of the Abeka Stool by the Nii Boi Royal Family and the Dzaasetse seat by the Amu Dodoo Family.

Addressing the gathering, Nii Boi IV urged the newly inducted Dzaasetse to uphold unity, honour ancestral traditions, serve with humility and integrity, and support the development of Abeka. He also encouraged him to act as a bridge for reconciliation and to protect the legacy of his predecessors.

In his acceptance speech, Nii Dodoo Ansah III expressed gratitude to the Mantse, elders, the Nii Boi Royal Family, and the Amu Dodoo Family for their support. He pledged to serve with honesty, fairness, and dedication, to uphold the customs of Abeka, and to work for peace, unity, and development within the community.

On behalf of Lawyer Samuel Akrong, Shia Nukpa Emmanuel Yartey Boye Snr described the induction as a reaffirmation of the traditional order established by the late George Yarboi Boye (Nuumo Apiakai). He commended the Amu Dodoo Family for their cooperation and acknowledged the role of the reconciliation forum in paving the way for the successful ceremony.

Both the Abeka Mantse and the head of the Nii Boi Royal Family also expressed appreciation to the Asere Traditional Council, particularly Nii Boi VII, Asere Mantse, and Nii Amarkai III, Asere Dzaasetse, for their guidance and support throughout the process.

The successful induction signals a renewed era of cooperation, stability, and traditional harmony in Abeka, as traditional authorities and families commit to preserving ancestral heritage while advancing peace and development in the community.

The young, energetic, Chief Executive of Ghana’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has gone to lengths on TV to educate the public about the layout and security features of the new vehicle licence plates the DVLA plans to introduce in 2026.

The new licence plates will have the following on it:

The region in which the vehicle is registered will be inscribed at the top of the vehicle registration plate’.eg. Greater-Accra.

At the bottom of the plate, the slogan of the region will be written.

iii. In the middle of the plate will be the vehicle number, which ranges from 1 to 9999 followed by two letters which represent the region in which the vehicle was registered, eg GR for Greater Accra, CR for Central Region.

Next to the two letters representing the region is a two letter code representing the DVLA office at which the vehicle was registered. So a typical plate would look like this: 3648-GRXY or 5285-CRTD.

Finally, the map of the region in which the registration plate is issued will feature in the background.

More importantly, the new number plates will be manufactured and issued by the DVLA and will not be outsourced to private companies. They will have advanced security features embedded in them to ensure that vehicles can be promptly scanned and traced by the security agencies.

Mr. Kotey says these security features will make the process of determining whether vehicles are properly licenced, stolen, customs duties paid on them or whether vehicles been involved in crime etc. more efficient. These are great improvements over the number plates currently in use.

Mr. Kotey has unshaken belief in the new tech laden number plates’ ability to help the security agencies obtain instant information on, scan and track vehicles and their owners in real time and greatly assist the fight against crimes committed with cars, trace road traffic offenders, customs duty evaders etc. These, plus the fact that the plates will be manufactured by DVLA and entered into DVLA’s database makes for a bombproof regime per Mr. Kotey.

I think the security of our number plates and their role in helping to apprehend crime depends much more than in house issuance of these plates and the security features installed in them.

My first quarrel with the number plate is its visual appearance. I think it has too much unrequired information. The regional identification, regional slogan and regional map which will feature on the number plate are details that do not immediately aid in identifying a vehicle involved in hit and run incidents, or vehicles involved in crime.

Most of our roads are unlit and will remain so for the next 20 years. If one runs over an old lady on Adjiriganno’s poorly lit roads at night, no scanner or camera will detect his vehicle if he uses the back roads all the way to Abokobi. The next day he can go to a workshop, say he struck a goat and have it repaired. No questions asked. Case closed. That is the reality.

Inscribing the region of registration on the top of the number plate of a vehicle, will not help the police or DVLA trace a vehicle. The license plate number will. In Ghana we do not teach number plate spotting. Let’s reduce the amount of detail people can memorise. The regional slogans are a nice touch, but they are just a gimmick. If we delete these two items and the regional map, we’ll have less clutter on the number plate.

My second issue is with the numbering layout of the number plate. Gone are the two alphabets we are used to which start the numbering. Instead we have a number eg 1317 or 4790 and then the region, GR or BA and then a code representing the point of registration of the vehicle, such as XY or CJ. What use is the point of registration of a vehicle, such as Adenta or Winneba on a number plate? That information should be available to law enforcement at the click of a button. To remove the year of registration as DVLA seeks to do and replace it with the point of registration is to recreate the problem.

The addition of the year of registration to our vehicle number plate information begun in 2009. Prior to that, in or about 1991, we were compelled to re-register our vehicles. The 1991 re-registration exercise involved the addition of an alphabet after the numeric identification. Before 1991 a car was registered as GM 3648 or GX 4790. In 1991 a car was re-registered as GR-1050-A or GN-333-A. When the sequence of alphabets ended with Z in 2008, DVLA replaced the alphabet at the end of the registration number with the year of registration. For 2009, a vehicle was registered as GR 6070-09 or GR-7256-09. Both these ‘reregistration exercises’ have not made our vehicle licence plates more secure or easier to identify.

Mr. Kotey’s faith in the impregnability of the number plates to be introduced next year notwithstanding, the deployment of scanners, cameras, devices: technology; and the efficiency of our security services and his outfit, I daresay, very many, if not most, hit and run vehicles and other crimes involving cars are identified and tracked ‘manually’ with the help of the public. The public helps the police by giving them information on number plates.

A number plate with too much information will confuse even the most diligent and observant passerby. It is simply a bit much to read quickly and memorize. Ghanaians are generally inattentive and unobservant regarding vehicle number plates.

Many vehicle owners do not know their license plate numbers. At functions, vehicle numbers are announced by MC’s for long periods without their owners reacting. As kids, memorising and reeling off our neigbours vehicle numbers were part of our games. They were simple and easy to learn. Compare memorising the AZ 3299 of 50 years ago to AZ-3299-C or AZ-3299-21 or 3299-AZTF. Which can you remember easily?

There are so many vehicles on our roads now. Our traffic lights don’t work and our street lights hardly work. Most of our streets are dark at night and we will not have sufficient numbers of cameras and scanners where they are required. We cannot deploy enough technology to help track and trace vehicles. Our back roads will be back roads, dark and easy to flee from without detection.

My humble submission is this; we should revert to the old (pre 1991) format of two alphabets followed by up to four numbers. The twenty-six letter English alphabet, which even barely literate and inattentive persons can easily read and remember, can be combined in so many two alphabet variants and still be identifiable by region.

Two letter combinations of the alphabet are almost inexhaustible. They, especially when placed at the beginning of a number plate give it its identity. GM 3648 or GX 1317 is easier to capture and memorise than 3648-GMXY or 1317-GRXY.

A schoolkid is more likely to see and memorise ER 4415 as it whizzes past him, as is a bored, sleepy policeman on a dark road in Agona Nyakrom, than 4415 ERKS with other information clamouring for attention.

Lets’ keep the actual numbering simple and leave region of registration, and point/centre of registration, together with other information on vehicles such as chassis numbers and year of manufacture on the DVLA’S database. Simple registration numbers and uncluttered license plates will be far more helpful in helping identify, trace and track vehicles, compared to what DVLA plans for us.

Finally, the DVLA must only produce licence plates with clearly visible font sizes and styles, as per the regulations. The tiny, illegible font sizes on license plates that go past police barriers unhindered should be banished in 2026.

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has disclosed the commencement of an exercise to regulate and standardise billboards and signage nationwide, beginning with the Greater Accra Region.

Speaking to the media as part of activities to mark the ongoing National Sanitation Week, Ms. Sowah, who doubles as the Chairperson of the 15-member Technical Committee on the Regulation and Standardisation of Signage across Ghana, said the initiative aims to address the uncontrolled spread of billboards and signage, which affects visibility, pedestrian safety, and the cleanliness of major cities.

According to her, the committee, working closely with Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies, has already mapped out and removed some billboards in Accra, noting that more is expected to be pulled down in the coming days.

She stressed that notices have already been sent to some billboard owners, adding that most of the signages are temporary structures and assemblies have the authority to remove any that obstruct human view, road medians and pedestrian walkways.

The Minister cautioned owners of unauthorised or poorly sited billboards to take notice, emphasising that the exercise will continue as part of efforts to make Accra and other cities cleaner, safer and more accessible for pedestrians.

She therefore called on the public and billboard operators to cooperate with the committee, to ensure the successful execution of the exercise.