Judiciary, Security agencies take turn to register for Ghana Card as Minority plans boycott

The National Identification Authority, NIA is expected to start registering Members and staff of Parliament, the Judicial Service and Security Agencies for the Ghana Card as it prepares for a nationwide take-off today.

The NIA announced last week it was finally ready to roll out the registration starting with the Presidency. 

Presidential staffers at the Jubilee House successfully received their cards last week.

The NIA was unable to successfully take off with registration last month due to what the authority said was IT challenges. 

Officials of the authority failed to turn up for the registration as planned, leaving hundreds of workers of Public institutions, including the seat of government who had queued stranded.

The issuance of a National Identification ID card with enhanced security features is among government’s key promises to formalise the country’s economy.

Meanwhile, the Minority in parliament says it will boycott planned registration and issuance of the National ID card also known as the ''The Ghana Card'', scheduled to take place in Parliament today.

The Minority wants to engage the National Identification Authority, NIA, to clarify some issues relating to the roll out before participating in the registration.

A statement by Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu said a meeting was advertised in the Business Statement at least twice only to be postponed indefinitely when it was read by the Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh last Friday.

According to the statement, significant questions remain about the cost, scope and legality of the project as well as registration requirements.

With regards to the cost of the project, the statement noted that the leadership of the NIA has been less than candid with the people of Ghana. 

It said documents available to the Minority show that the total project cost is one point four  billion dollars which conflicts with the two hundred and 93 million cedis stated by the Chief Executive Officer of the NIA, Prof. Ken Attafuah.

It said despite the provision of Government supporting aspect of revenue for the project, this has not been brought to Parliament for approval in accordance with Constitutional requirements.

The Statement restated the Minority's opposition to the limitation of identification requirements for registration to only Passports and Birth Certificates.

This, according to the Minority, will prevent about 23 million Ghanaians from obtaining the Ghana Card and deprive them of any benefit there-of.

The statement expressed grave concerns about potential breaches of the Procurement laws and processes.

It adds that the Minority will hold a press conference on tomorrow to shed more light on its position and matters arising out of the National Identification project.

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