The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has condemned a statement by its Western Regional Manager Emmanuel Narh, that Rastafarians are required to present identity cards before acquiring a driver’s licence.
Addressing a news conference in Accra the CEO, Kwasi Agyeman Busia described the statement as regrettable saying it is not part of requirements for acquiring a driver’s licence.
On Friday, the Western Regional Manager of DVLA, Emmanuel Narh in an interview on a private radio station in Takoradi said Rastafarians have to present an identity card before acquiring a driver’s licence.
The statement engendered all sorts of reaction among the Rastafarian community.
But addressing a news conference in Accra, the CEO of the DVLA, Kwasi Agyeman Busia condemned the statement and apologized to the public as well as the Rastafarian community.
He said the Authority’s mandate is to serve the public and not to discriminate against anybody irrespective of their race, religion or belief.
Mr Agyeman Busia appealed to the Regional Managers of the Authority to constantly get in touch with the headquarters to be abreast of the processes in acquiring driver’s licence and other documents.
Deputy Director in charge of Driver Training, Testing and Licensing, Kafui Semevo spoke about the processes one has to go through in acquiring a driver’s licence and said religion or groupings of any kind does not form the basis for acquiring a driver’s licence.
