Report by Nana POKU
The National Identification Authority has introduced the digitization of the issuance of their cards by going online on a pilot basis in four regions.
The regions are Northern, Ashanti, Volta, and the Eastern regions.
Speaking to the press at the headquarters, the head of Public Affairs of the organization; Mr Emmanuel Ampomah Darlas informed the media that this has become necessary to decongest the hassle and bustle at various district offices.
Better still, this will enable applicants to choose their own office of application and collection without any pressure.
He assured the media that the unsightly scenes in the past at the headquarters and others have diminished as a result of systems the organization has introduced of late.
Plans are also afoot to extend this new digital process to reduce human interference.
This will reduce delays, purported extortion, and unauthorized charges.
He cautioned against illegal means to acquire the cards. He disclosed that one foreigner has been jailed for illegal acquisition of the card whilst 14 other foreign nationals are before the Madina Court facing trial.
He also cautioned Ghanaians who front for these fraudsters to desist from such unnationalistic behavior because the authority will pursue such nation wreckers.
Mr William Apoma advised all institutions, banks and companies to check and crosscheck the ECOWAS cards and if in doubt reach out to the their verification platforms and centers to verify to be sure of whom they are dealing with.
He indicated that the Authority has enough materials and motivated staff to work to attain the target since, as he put it this is the only way forward to ensure proper identification.
He announced that those under 15 who have been registered and will get their cards as soon as schools re-open this year.
This means that anyone under 15 years will be rolled unto the card acquisition in Ghana.
So far, over 18.6 million people, including foreigners, have been issued with cards.
He intimated that they would make sure that the card meet international standards as one of the best in the world.
