DVLA asked to stop compulsory sale of first aid boxes

A deputy minister at the Transport Ministry, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, has asked drivers and vehicle owners to disregard demands by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to purchase first aid boxes as condition for document renewal.

The DVLA unilaterally imposed the sale of first aid boxes at GHȻ108 on drivers and vehicle owners desiring to renew documents and licences, leading to mass protests.

But the Transport Ministry says it has neither approved of or been made aware of such an imposition and has asked the DVLA to suspend it.

Titus Glover told Asempa FM that the Ministry does not agree with the imposition and won’t encourage such a unilateral action.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union described the imposition as “daylight robbery” and will resist its implantation.

Vice Chairman of the GPRTU, Mr. Robert Sarbah who described the imposition as a criminal act, said neither the union or its members were briefed about it and maintained that they will go to all lengths to resist implementation.

He reminded the GPRTU that Ghana is not a jungle and that decisions that have implications for the mass public need widespread consultation and public buy-in. He served notice the union will advise itself if the DVLA insist on the compulsory sale of the first aid boxes.

The DVLA had explained that the mandatory sale of the kits was to ensure public safety, however the Minority in Parliament says it amounts to extortion and should be scrapped.