DVLA, VEMAG and single company contracted to produce 2026 and planned new number plates agree to resolve dispute out of court
The parties in the suit challenging the decision by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to award the contract for the production new number plates to a single entity beginning 2026 have agreed to resolve the case out of court.
The DVLA had reportedly awarded the contract for the production of 2026 vehicle number plates and the planned introduction of new number plates should Parliament approve the proposed bill for the new numbers to a single entity, Original Manufacturers and Embossment Company Limited, the company owned by one Nyarko Esumadu Appiah, also known as Daasebre.
Following this, the Vehicle Embossment Manufacturers Association of Ghana (VEMAG) and others filed a suit against the DVLA in December 2025.
In January 2026, Original Manufacturers applied to join the suit, and the High Court granted the application.
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When the case came up for hearing on Friday, February 13, 2026, the court was informed that the parties have started talking to resolve the issue amicably out of court.
Consequently, the High Court gave the parties up to February 27, 2026, to file their terms of settlement if they are able to successfully resolve the matter.
“Since all the lawyers in this suit have expressed desire to resolve the matter.
This Court will grant an adjournment. In the event that the parties are able to settle the suit out of court the terms of settlement should be filed before the next court date,” the presiding judge, Justice Isaac Addo said.
The Vehicle Embossment Manufacturers Association of Ghana (VEMAG) is at the High Court to challenge the introduction of a new vehicle number plate system and the award of both manufacturing and embossment of the plates to a single company.
Martin Kpebu is counsel for the plaintiffs
Background
Following a decision to roll out new vehicle number plates from January 2, 2026, VEMAG filed an application asking that the DVLA should be restrained from introducing digitalised vehicle number plates or any new registration plates until the court determines the merits of the case.
They were also asking that the DVLA should be prevented from implementing any alternative arrangement for the embossment and supply of vehicle number plates outside the existing framework involving the plaintiffs.
They argued that DVLA had awarded both manufacturing and embossment contracts to a single entity, an act which they termed as unprecedented and contrary to established practice.
As part of their reliefs, VEMAG is seeking an order compelling the DVLA to continue engaging licensed embossers for 2026 and beyond.
Meanwhile the DVLA, has since, suspended the planned rollout of new vehicle number plates from January 2, 2026. This is because Parliament is yet to pass the necessary legislation to help roll out the new numbering.
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