Julius Neequaye Kotey, popularly known as "Logass" or the "Grassroots Chief of Staff," is a highly accomplished professional with an impressive academic background in leadership, governance, and public administration.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and is recognised as a seasoned public policy and compliance expert.

His extensive education includes multiple advanced degrees, reflecting his commitment to public policy.

Early Life

Raised in Osu, Accra, Julius comes from a household rich in cultural heritage. His mother, Juliana Aqua, hails from Osu, while his father, Clement Emmanuel Cotenquaye, is a musician who taught drums in Germany.

Julius has shared that his childhood dream was to become a professional Disc Jockey (DJ), a passion he still embraces, particularly for reggae music.

Education

Julius's educational journey transitioned from the arts to the social sciences and culminated in specialised public management:

1. Basic Education: Attended St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Basic School in Accra, initially focusing on science.

2. Secondary Education: Completed his senior high school education at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, where he transitioned his studies to Visual Arts.

3. Undergraduate Studies: Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Ghana.

4. Advanced Degrees:

• MA in Leadership and Governance from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

• MSc in Public Policy and Management from the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

• MA in Sociology of Peace and Security.

• Single Subject Diploma in Business Management.

Career and Leadership at DVLA

As CEO of the DVLA, Julius has implemented significant reforms and improvements, including:

• Successfully cleared over 440,000 backlogged driver's licenses that had accumulated due to previous financial and supply chain challenges.

• Launching 24-hour service systems at the Adenta and Kumasi regional offices, enhancing customer accessibility.

• Initiating stringent measures to regulate middlemen, known locally as "goro boys," and taking disciplinary action against internal staff involved in overcharging patrons.

• Securing approval to station DVLA staff in five countries across Europe and America, enabling Ghanaians abroad to access licensing services.

Awards and Recognition

Julius's exemplary leadership has garnered several accolades, including:

1. Top 20 Most Influential Corporate Leaders (2025): Awarded by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG) for his innovation in the public sector.

2. 2nd Best CEO for 2025: Ranked by FAKS Investigative Services for his unwavering dedication and vision.

Political and Social Background

A prominent figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Julius has served as the Vice Chairman for the Korle Klottey Constituency and is a leading executive of the GaDangme Caucus.

In late 2025, he made headlines by reporting a GH¢4 million bribe attempt to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), a move he made to safeguard the rollout of the Digitalised Vehicle Registration Plate (DP) policy.

Tenure at DVLA

Julius Neequaye Kotey has served as the CEO of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for one year and one month. Highlights of his tenure include:

1. Appointment Date: January 28, 2025, when he was appointed as the Acting CEO.

2. Official Assumption of Duty: He and his deputy formally introduced themselves to the management team at the DVLA Head Office on January 28, 2025.

3. Current Status: As of late February 2026, he remains the substantive head of the authority.

In his first year, Kotey spearheaded several impactful reforms:

• Revenue Growth: Achieved a 39% increase in revenue for the DVLA within his first 12 months.

• Backlog Clearance: Oversaw the printing and distribution of over 440,000 backlogged driver's licenses during his first year.

• Service Innovations: Launched a 24-hour service pilot at the Adenta regional office and commissioned four new offices across Ghana.

• Digital Transformation: Initiated the rollout of digitalised vehicle registration plates (DP) embedded with RFID technology, scheduled for full implementation in 2026.

Private Life

Julius Neequaye Kotey is married and has children, maintaining a balance between his professional commitments and family life.

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