The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has impounded 40 vehicles at the Tema Harbour after uncovering the use of fake and incorrectly applied Drive from Port (DP) stickers.
The operation, carried out based on intelligence, revealed that some vehicles were fitted with fraudulent DP stickers, while others had authentic stickers that did not correspond with official records.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicles were imported into Ghana by CFAO. However, the DVLA says the discrepancies appear to have occurred during the clearing process.
According to the Authority, “evidence suggests that an agent engaged to clear the vehicles on behalf of the company employed illegal methods, resulting in the discrepancies identified.”
The DVLA introduced DP stickers to replace the old aluminium DP plate system as part of efforts to curb revenue losses. Since the rollout, usage initially surged, with monthly issuance rising from an average of 2,000 to about 15,000 by October 2025.
In recent months, however, officials observed a decline in the number of DP stickers being issued at the ports. The drop raised concerns and triggered further investigations, culminating in the latest operation at Tema Harbour.
The Authority says it is working closely with National Security to investigate the matter and clamp down on fraudulent practices within vehicle import and registration processes.
It stressed that maintaining accurate vehicle data is critical for road safety, traceability, and effective transport planning.
“Maintaining data integrity from the point of entry through to final registration remains a key priority,” the DVLA said.
The Authority has also urged importers and industry stakeholders to adhere strictly to regulations and ensure proper verification processes are followed.
DVLA added that, together with National Security, it “remains vigilant and committed to safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s vehicle administration system.”