In fulfillment of a long-held NPP campaign pledge, the Akufo-Addo government has begun the process of implementing a comprehensive national identification project to build a database of Ghanaians and other nationals resident in Ghana.
At a broad consultative meeting chaired by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, all the major stakeholders, including the Births and Deaths Registry (BDR), National Identification Authority (NIA), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ghana Revenue Authority and National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) underscored the need to have a single national database to aid policy planning and implementation.
Also in attendance were officials from the Ministry of Finance, Minister designate for Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Electoral Commission (EC), Driver Vehicle and Licence Authority (DVLA), Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GHIPSS) and industry experts.
The National Identification project is expected to be completed within the first year of the NPP administration, in fulfillment of a manifesto pledge to complete the registration of all residents in Ghana under the National Identification Scheme, thereby establishing an integrated Data Warehouse of databases from key public institutions, using the National Identification System as the unique identifier for data items, and automating the processes involved in accessing public services at both national and local government offices.
The NPP government is convinced the National ID scheme would help formalize the economy through the establishment of a national database, using the National Identification System as the primary identifier, with linkages to the databases of institutions such as the Police, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Passport Office, Immigration, Courts, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
Addressing the representatives of the key stakeholders, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia noted that there has been too much talk around the issue of national ID cards but very little effective action or results even though $50 million has been spent on the project since 2009.
A single national ID system would, amongst others, track immunization of children and health care of citizens, issue drivers licenses and passports linked to digital identity registry, eliminate ghost names from the civil service payroll, and reduce cost of maintaining multiple Identity databases, the Vice President stated.
Four Committees – Legal, Technical, Financial and Oversight – to shepherd the project.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Kudos NPP this is the better party with better implementation. I doff my heart for you Good news.
KUDOS to Visionary leadership for taking the bull by the horn in an effort to execute such a strategic national development project which was initiated by a Visionary leadership but brought to a virtual halt by a MIOPIC LEADERSHIP. I urge all Ghanaians to support this project to succeed as it is a precursor to modern-day effective national development management
Ei, $50m? Spent by which government? An nothing done? Please probe this amount and bring people to book!
Kudos Npp.. Am now happy to be in Ghana
PLEASE COUPLE THIS NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION WITH THE NATIONAL POST CODE SYSTEM TO RIGIDLY HOOK EACH INDIVIDUAL TO HIS/HER HOME ADDRESS. A NATIONAL DATABASE WITHOUT ADDRESSES TO SUPPORT, WOULD BE EASILY COMPROMISED
God Bless Ghanians for voting Wisely and for voting for CHANGE...step in the right direction next is ROPAL...NO MORE FOREIGNERS WILL VOTE IN GHANA ....
This is long overdue. Long live NPP, Long live Ghana.
This is the happiest day of my life. This will solve about 30-40%of our developmental problems
Excellent! A credible ID system is the backbone of any country and I find it difficult to understand that it has taken us 60 years to work on us. Please find creative ways to raise money for this by for example charging organizations that would use the data(insurance companies etc.). Thanks Bawumia!
The people sitting there look more noble than all the NDC MPs on the vetting committee