H. Kwasi Prempeh: Building Hospitals Isn't the DVLA's Core Mandate

Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, has criticised plans by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to construct a hospital for drivers, urging the agency to focus on its core regulatory mandate. In a Facebook post reacting to comments by the DVLA Chief Executive that the Authority intends to build a drivers’ hospital by the end of the year, Prof. Prempeh described the initiative as misplaced and symptomatic of deeper governance problems within public institutions. “Seriously? Please focus on getting those rickety, unsafe, air-polluting commercial vehicles off our roads. Building hospitals, whether for drivers or passengers, is not part of your job,” he wrote. The constitutional law expert warned that the DVLA’s proposed project reflects a growing trend of state agencies venturing into areas outside their statutory responsibilities, often driven by procurement opportunities rather than public interest. “The fact that other state institutions have engaged in these procurement-driven adventures does not mean you should follow suit,” Prof. Prempeh cautioned. He further called on government to rein in what he described as the misuse of Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) by public bodies, stressing the need for stricter oversight and discipline in public sector spending. “Please, focus on your core mandate. Government should stop public bodies from abusing their IGFs in this manner,” he added. Prof. Prempeh’s comments come after the DVLA Chief Executive, Julius Neequaye Kotey, speaking to Channel One News, announced plans to establish a hospital dedicated to drivers as part of broader welfare initiatives for transport operators. “At a time when the conduct of some drivers is making life uncomfortable for passengers, the Authority is working towards the construction of a Drivers’ Hospital to address the critical healthcare needs of drivers by the close of the year,” he said. The proposal has since sparked debate, with critics questioning whether the DVLA should prioritise healthcare infrastructure over road safety enforcement and ensuring roadworthy vehicles on roads—functions directly linked to its legal mandate. Read also…