From 1 January 2020, the databases of the National Insurance Commission (NIC) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will be integrated, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has stated.

With this, passengers will soon be able to verify from their phones, whether or not the trotro or bus they boarded has been properly insured.

The motor database will also help to stop insurance revenue leakages since fake insurance stickers can be busted instantly.

Speaking at a special NIC cocktail reception which brought together key players in the insurance sector on Wednesday, 11 December 2019, Dr Bawumia noted that the “insurance industry has very important roles to play in the digitisation programmes of the government, and since insurance is interwoven with the entire architecture of the economy, it is heart-warming to know that the industry is digitising its operations”.

“After meetings with the DVLA and the NIC about creating better synergies between them, it is expected that the motor insurance database will be connected to the DVLA system in January 2020 so that before a vehicle is issued with a road worthiness certificate, it can be verified whether it has a valid insurance cover from a licensed insurance company.”

Dr Bawumia emphasised: “The database will also help to stop the leakages from the insurance revenues through fake motor insurance stickers”, adding: “Already, after the digitisation of the DVLA, the incidence of ‘Goro boys’ has been curtailed”.

The “same thing”, the Vice-President said, “has happened at the Passport Office”.

“So, we are getting there”, he assured the stakeholders, noting: “The digitisation agenda, which is designed to make accessing government services easier, is on course.”

He added that even though digitisation brings significant advantages and opportunities, it also creates vulnerabilities which could be critical and, therefore, need to be carefully managed.

The government is, therefore, taking several steps to protect the nation’s information infrastructure as part of the digitisation programme.

Dr Bawumia commended the NIC and DVLA for their cooperation on this important project, observing: “Ghana is moving forward.” 

He also urged them to closely collaborate with the industry and relevant government institutions such as the DVLA and NITA to ensure that its digitisation efforts are in sync with the government’s policy and strategies to help achieve the intended objectives and optimise the expected benefits.

Dr Bawumia has been at the forefront of championing the government’s digitisation agenda.

In June this year, he was adjudged the Digital Leader of the Year at the 9th Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards.