According to the National Identification Authority (NIA), nearly 15 million Ghanaians have already registered for their Ghana Card, accounting for 84.3 percent of the population aged 15 and above.
Prof. Ken Attefuah, the Authority’s Executive Secretary, maintains that the bulk of the 15 million cards have been produced and distributed to Ghanaians.
Following the start of SIM card re-registration this month, discussions concerning the Ghana Card have risen to the fore.
The National Communications Authority, NCA, has said that only the Ghana Card would be accepted as evidence of identification when registering for services.
This has sparked considerable outrage, with many Ghanaians wondering why newly registered voters’ ID cards and Ghanaian passports cannot be utilized.
Others have also complained about the NIA’s failure to deliver their Ghana Cards after registering for them.
Prof. Attafuah, that those who have yet to get their cards would do so.
“At the end of the day, we have actually registered 84.3% of the population aged 15 and above. So in that sense, we have exceeded the target that was set by the governing board of NIA. It is also the case that of those 15 and above, there are still some who did not register but those who registered and do not have their card will have them soon.”
Meanwhile, in response to concerns and queries about why passports are not permitted for identification in the SIM re-registration process, Professor Attafuah has said that passports lack the credibility of Ghana Cards.
“A passport is a primary document for establishing your citizenship and eligibility to travel across borders but even so, you see visa requirements. “There is a limit,” he said.
Prof. Attafuah also said that the Ghana Card registration procedure demonstrated why passports could not be completely trusted.
“During the mass registration, there were people who went to registration centers with Ghana passports but were denied the right to register, because, upon interrogation, it was found that they were not Ghanaians.”
“It can be found to be procured through improper means and you cannot rely on it,” the NIA boss added.
Ghana’s population presently stands at 30.8 million, according to the preliminary findings of the 2020 Population and Housing Census.
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